Strobe light emitting apparatus and camera

ABSTRACT

A strobe apparatus of the present invention has a xenon tube, which is a discharge tube, having a discharge light emitting portion and a light emitting portion terminal. Light is emitting from the xenon tube and is reflected in a predetermined direction by a reflection umbrella. A transparent electrode is coated on the external surface of the xenon tube from the discharge light emitting portion to the terminal. When trigger voltage is applied to the xenon tube through the transparent electrode, strobe light is emitted by the discharge light emitting portion. By using the strode apparatus, the orientation characteristic of the discharge tube can be improved without uneven light distribution and a shortage of a light amount.

[0001] This application claims benefit of Japanese Applications No.2002-165724 filed in Japan on Jun. 6, 2002-180136 filed in Japan on Jun.20, 2002, No. 2002-188366 filed in Japan on Jun. 27, 2002, No.2002-192449 filed in Japan on Jul. 1, 2002, No. 2002-204365 filed inJapan on Jul. 12, 2002 and No. 2002-204367 filed in Japan on Jul. 12,2002, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a strobe light emittingapparatus (strobe apparatus) for emitting light by using a strobe lightemitting discharge tube, a light system construction of a strobe lightemitting apparatus, a light emitting circuit for a strobe light emittingapparatus and a camera having a camera blur preventing function.

[0004] 2. Related Art Statement

[0005] Conventionally, in a strobe apparatus (strobe light emittingapparatus) using a parabolic reflection umbrella of a camera including adigital camera, trigger voltage may be applied to a discharge tube bycausing an elastic material to touch the head of a midget-lamp shapeddischarge tube as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent ApplicationPublication No. 63-48537.

[0006] When a shooting person generally shoots by holding a camera, acamera blur may occur during the exposure, which results in a mistakephotograph. In order to prevent camera blurs, various kinds ofblur-preventing technologies have been reviewed. The blur-preventingtechnologies can be divided into two groups of vibration detection andsolutions against detected vibrations. The solutions against detectedvibrations can be categorized into a warning technology for causingusers to recognize a blur state and a technology for preventing theimage deterioration due to camera blurs by driving and controlling ashooting lens.

[0007] Among them, a technology for warning blurs when a blur amountdetected by a blur detecting unit using an optical sensor exceeds a setvalue (acceptable shift amount) depending of the shutter speed isdisclosed in Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No.62-027686. Also, a warning apparatus for comparing a signal detected bya vibration detector using an acceleration meter and a reference signalfor identifying vibration in accordance with the set shutter speed andfor warning after shooting is disclosed in Japanese Patent ExaminedPatent Application Publication no. 62-037771.

[0008] In a conventional camera strobe apparatus, a main capacitor isapplied for storing discharged charges, and strobe light is emitted bydischarging the charges (energy) charged in the main capacitor to axenon tube.

[0009] For example, a cassette installing room and a spool room areprovided on the side of the lens barrel within a conventional cameracontaining the strobe light emitting apparatus. A strobe light emittingcapacitor is provided on the exterior of the cassette installing room. Astrobe window is provided above the spool room and a strobe lightemitting unit and a power source battery are provided at the back of thestrobe window.

[0010] The strobe light emitting unit has a Xe (xenon) tube and areflection umbrella. The discharging electrode of the Xe tube is spacedapart by a predetermined distance L1.

[0011] As is generally known, an AF camera having a conventional AFdistance measuring function cannot measure a distance when an object isdark. Therefore, auxiliary light for AF distance measurement isirradiated from the camera side to the object and the light reflectedfrom the object is used for distance measurement. Then, the AF functioncan operate even when the object is dark. On the other hand, a camerahaving a light emitting function for minimizing red-eye has beengenerally known. By using the light emitting function for minimizingred-eye, irises of eyes of an object such as a human being and/or animalare closed (miosis) by irradiating light with low intensity from thestrobe apparatus to the object in advance.

[0012] Furthermore, as is generally known, when a camera having aconventional focal plane shutter uses a strobe apparatus, and when aexposure time for shooting is faster than a strobe tuning time of theplace shutter, a small amount of energy stored in the capacitor may beintermittently discharged. Thus, the light of the Xe tube (xenondischarging tube) is emitted for a certain period of time continuouslyto irradiate an object. That is, a so-called flat light emission isused.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided astrobe apparatus, including a strobe light emitting discharge tubehaving a discharge light emitting portion and a terminal portion, and areflection umbrella for reflecting light emitted from the strobe lightemitting discharge tube into a predetermined direction, wherein thestrobe light emitting discharge tube includes a transparent electrodefrom the discharge light emitting portion to the terminal portion, andtrigger voltage is applied to the strobe light emitting discharge tubethrough the transparent electrode.

[0014] According to another aspect of the inventions, there is provideda camera, including a vibration detecting portion for detecting avibration state of the camera, a first operating member for setting acamera mode to a vibration detecting mode for operating the vibrationdetecting portion, a second operating member for setting a strobe lightemitting mode of the camera, and a control portion for controlling theimplementation and termination of the operation of the vibrationdetecting portion in accordance with the type of the strobe lightemitting mode set by the second operating member when the vibrationdetecting mode is set.

[0015] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided astrobe apparatus, including a single discharge tube, a first lightemitting portion for causing the discharge tube to emit light, a secondlight emitting portion for causing the discharge tube to emit light, anda control portion for controlling the first light emitting portion tocause light emission in shooting where an amount of light required forexposure exceeds a predetermined value and for controlling the secondlight emitting portion to cause light emission in shooting where anamount of light required for exposure is equal to or below thepredetermined value.

[0016] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided adischarge light emitting apparatus, including a power source, atransformer having an iron core, a primary winding wound about the ironcore and connected to the power source, a first secondary winding woundabout the iron core, and a second secondary winding wound about the ironcore and is connected to the first secondary winding in series, a lightemitting discharge tube having a discharging electrode and a triggerelectrode, both ends of the first secondary winding connected td thedischarging electrode and one end of the second secondary windingconnected to the trigger electrode, a switching element provided betweenthe power source and the primary winding, and a control portion forturning on/off the switching element.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided astrobe apparatus, including a discharge tube for emitting strobe lightfor illuminating an object, a first light emitting portion for causingthe discharge tube to emit light by using energy stored in a maincapacitor, a second light emitting portion for causing the dischargetube to emit light by using a battery without the main capacitor, and acontrol portion for causing the discharge tube to emit light through thefirst light emitting portion in shooting and for causing the dischargetube to emit light through the second light emitting portion beforeshooting.

[0018] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided acamera, including a focal plane shutter, a discharge tube for emittingstrobe light for illuminating an object, a first light emitting portionfor causing the discharge tube to emit light by using energy stored in amain capacitor, a second light emitting portion for causing thedischarge tube to emit light for plurality of times by using a batterywithout the main capacitor, and a control portion for causing thedischarge tube to emit light through the first light emitting portionwhen the exposure time in second for shooting is longer than the flashsynchronization time in second of the focal plane shutter and forcausing the discharge tube to emit light through the second lightemitting portion when the exposure time in second for shooting isshorter than the flash synchronization time in second of the focal planeshutter.

[0019] According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided astrobe apparatus for a camera having a focal plane shutter, the strobeapparatus including a discharge tube for emitting strobe light forilluminating an object, a first light emitting portion for causing thedischarge tube to emit light, a second light emitting portion forcausing the discharge tube to emit light, and a control portion forcausing light emission through the first light emitting portion when theexposure time in second for shooting is longer than the flashsynchronization time in second of the focal plane shutter and forcausing light emission through the second light emitting portion whenthe exposure time in second for shooting is shorter than the flashsynchronization time in second of the focal plane shutter.

[0020] The other characteristics and advantages of the present inventionwill be apparent from the description below.

BRIEF OF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a section diagram showing a construction of a strobeapparatus according to a first embodiment;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram showing a light emitting part ofthe strobe apparatus of the first embodiment having a partial section;

[0023]FIG. 3 is a perspective diagram showing a sectional form of aterminal 1 a according to the first embodiment;

[0024]FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a construction of an electriccircuit for driving a strobe apparatus according to the firstembodiment;

[0025]FIG. 5A is a perspective diagram of a holding portion of areflection umbrella as a variation example of the strobe apparatusaccording to the first embodiment;

[0026]FIG. 5B is a section diagram of the holding portion of thereflection umbrella and a xenon tube in the variation example in FIG.5A;

[0027]FIG. 6 is a section diagram showing a construction of a strobeapparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

[0028]FIG. 7 is a section diagram showing a construction of a ring andthe surrounding portion in the strobe apparatus according to the secondembodiment;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a section diagram of a holding portion of a reflectionumbrella and a xenon tube as a variation example of the strobe apparatusaccording to the second embodiment;

[0030]FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a construction of a camera accordingto a third embodiment of the invention;

[0031]FIG. 10 is a diagram describing a triangulationdistance-measurement principle in the camera in FIG. 9;

[0032]FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a warningpattern displayed on an LCD within a finder in the camera in FIG. 9;

[0033]FIG. 12A is an exterior diagram of a camera having a camera-blurdetecting mode in FIG. 9, which is diagonally viewed from the back;

[0034]FIG. 12B is an exterior diagram of a camera having a camera-blurdetecting mode in FIG. 9, which is diagonally viewed from the front;

[0035]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a state where a shooting person holdsthe camera in FIG. 9 by one hand for shooting;

[0036]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relationship between image signalsand difference absolute values with respect to the pixel position forhorizontal shifts in the camera in FIG. 9;

[0037]FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a relationship between image signalsand difference absolute values with respect to the pixel position forvertical shifts in the camera in FIG. 9;

[0038]FIG. 16A is a diagram showing a change in monitored range when thecamera in FIG. 9 is moved horizontally;

[0039]FIG. 16B is a diagram showing a change in monitored range when thecamera in FIG. 9 is moved vertically;

[0040]FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a relationship between changes inimage signal and amounts of camera blur in the camera in FIG. 9;

[0041]FIG. 18 is the first half of a flowchart for describing a sequencefor determination control in a camera-blur determining method for thecamera in FIG. 9;

[0042]FIG. 19 is the second half of the flowchart for describing thedetermination control sequence following FIG. 18;

[0043]FIG. 20 is a flowchart for describing a mode change to thecamera-blur detecting mode in the camera in FIG. 9;

[0044]FIG. 21 is a flowchart for describing the changing of the strobemode in the camera in FIG. 9;

[0045]FIG. 22 is a perspective diagram showing an exterior of a cameracontaining a strobe apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention;

[0046]FIG. 23 is a section diagram taken at the line A-A in FIG. 22 andshows an internal arrangement of main components of the camera in FIG.22;

[0047]FIG. 24 is a perspective diagram showing the internal arrangementof the main components of the camera in FIG. 22;

[0048]FIG. 25 is a strobe light emitting circuit of the strobe apparatuscontained in the camera in FIG. 22;

[0049]FIG. 26A is a time chart of an output waveform of a V-SW outputterminal of a control circuit portion in charging to a light-emissionmain capacitor in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0050]FIG. 26B is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-1 outputterminal of a control circuit portion in charging to a light-emissionmain capacitor in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0051]FIG. 26C is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-2 outputterminal of a control circuit portion in charging to a light-emissionmain capacitor in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0052]FIG. 26D is a time chart of charging voltage Vc in charging to alight-emission main capacitor in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0053]FIG. 27A is a time chart of an output waveform of an V-SW outputterminal of a control circuit portion during an operation for emitting alarge amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0054]FIG. 27B is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-1 outputterminal of the control circuit portion during an operation for emittinga large amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0055]FIG. 27C is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-2 outputterminal of the control circuit portion during an operation for emittinga large amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0056]FIG. 27D is a time chart of an output waveform of an V-IG outputterminal of the control circuit portion during an operation for emittinga large amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0057]FIG. 27E is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe during anoperation for emitting a large amount of light in the strobe apparatusin FIG. 25;

[0058]FIG. 27F is a time chart of a shutter opening waveform during anoperation for emitting a large amount of light in a camera containingthe strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0059]FIG. 27G is a time chart of a release switch signal during anoperation for emitting a large amount of light in the strobe apparatusin FIG. 25;

[0060]FIG. 28A is a time chart of an output waveform of an V-SW outputterminal of a control circuit portion during an operation for emitting asmall amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0061]FIG. 28B is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-1 outputterminal of the control circuit portion during an operation for emittinga small amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0062]FIG. 28C is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-2 outputterminal of the control circuit portion during an operation for emittinga small amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0063]FIG. 28D is a time chart of an output waveform of an V-IG outputterminal of the control circuit portion during an operation for emittinga small amount of light in the strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0064]FIG. 28E is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe during anoperation for emitting a small amount of light in the strobe apparatusin FIG. 25;

[0065]FIG. 28F is a time chart of a shutter opening waveform during anoperation for emitting a small amount of light in a camera containingthe strobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0066]FIG. 28G is a time chart of a release switch signal during anoperation for emitting a small amount of light in the strobe apparatusin FIG. 25;

[0067]FIG. 29 is a flowchart of strobe light emitting processing in thestrobe apparatus in FIG. 25;

[0068]FIG. 30 is a flowchart of charging processing, which is asub-routine invoked in the strobe light emitting processing in FIG. 29;

[0069]FIG. 31 is a show-through perspective diagram showing an internalarrangement of a camera containing a strobe apparatus, which is adischarge light emitting apparatus, according to a fifth embodiment ofthe invention;

[0070]FIG. 32 is a cross section diagram at the center of the camera inFIG. 31 and shows an internal arrangement of main components of thecamera;

[0071]FIG. 33 shows a section diagram of a strobe light emitting unit ofthe strobe apparatus contained in the camera in FIG. 31;

[0072]FIG. 34 is a circuit diagram of the strobe light emitting circuitof the strobe apparatus contained in the camera in FIG. 31;

[0073]FIG. 35A is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-1 outputterminal of a control circuit portion in the strobe apparatus of thecamera in FIG. 31;

[0074]FIG. 35B is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST-2 outputterminal of the control circuit portion in the strobe apparatus of thecamera in FIG. 31;

[0075]FIG. 35C is a time chart of trigger voltage V-tr of the controlcircuit portion in the strobe apparatus of the camera in FIG. 31;

[0076]FIG. 35D is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe in thestrobe apparatus of the camera in FIG. 31;

[0077]FIG. 35E is a time chart of an output waveform of a VB detectingterminal for power source voltage in the strobe apparatus of the camerain FIG. 31;

[0078]FIG. 35F is a time chart showing ON/OFF states of an Xe tube inthe strobe apparatus of the camera in FIG. 31;

[0079]FIG. 35G is a time chart of a shutter opening waveform in thecamera in FIG. 31;

[0080]FIG. 35H is a time chart of a release switch signal in the camerain FIG. 31;

[0081]FIG. 36 is a flowchart of shooting processing in the camera inFIG. 31;

[0082]FIG. 37 is an exterior perspective diagram of a camera having astrobe apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, whichis diagonally viewed from the upper right;

[0083]FIG. 38 is a section diagram taken at the line II-II in FIG. 37;

[0084]FIG. 39 is a show-through perspective diagram schematicallyshowing an internal construction of the camera in FIG. 37;

[0085]FIG. 40 is a section diagram showing a construction of a strobelight emitting portion in the camera in FIG. 37;

[0086]FIG. 41 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit of the strobe apparatus of the camera in FIG. 37;

[0087]FIG. 42A is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal 470 of a control circuit in charging to a main capacitor in thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0088]FIG. 42B is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal 460 of the control circuit in charging to a main capacitor inthe light emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0089]FIG. 42C is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal 450 of the control circuit in charging to a main capacitor inthe light emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0090]FIG. 42D is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal, 440 of the control circuit in charging to a main capacitor inthe light emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0091]FIG. 42E is a time chart showing an output waveform of chargingvoltage V of the control circuit in charging to a main capacitor in thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0092]FIG. 43 is a flowchart describing a light emitting operation whenauxiliary light for AF distance measurement is emitted by using thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0093]FIG. 44A is a time chart of a first release signal of a cameracontaining a strobe apparatus in FIG. 41;

[0094]FIG. 44B is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal 460 of a control circuit in the light emitting circuit whenauxiliary light for AF distance measurement is emitted by using thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0095]FIG. 44C is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal 450 of a control circuit in the light emitting circuit whenauxiliary light for AF distance measurement is emitted by using thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0096]FIG. 44D is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal 440 of a control circuit in the light emitting circuit whenauxiliary light for AF distance measurement is emitted by using thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0097]FIG. 44E is a time chart showing an output waveform of an outputterminal 470 of a control circuit in the light emitting circuit whenauxiliary light for AF distance measurement is emitted by using thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0098]FIG. 44F is a time chart showing a period for AF distancemeasurement processing when auxiliary light for AF distance measurementis emitted by using the light emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0099]FIG. 44G is a time chart showing light emitting current I-xe whenauxiliary light for AF distance measurement is emitted by using thelight emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0100]FIG. 45 is a flowchart describing a light emitting operation inorder to emit red-eye reducing light by using the light emitting circuitin FIG. 41;

[0101]FIG. 46A is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 460 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit inorder to emit red-eye reducing light by using the light emitting circuitin FIG. 41;

[0102]FIG. 46B is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 450 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit inorder to emit red-eye reducing light by using the light emitting circuitin FIG. 41;

[0103]FIG. 46C is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 440 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit inorder to emit red-eye reducing light by using the light emitting circuitin FIG. 41;

[0104]FIG. 46D is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 470 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit inorder to emit red-eye reducing light by using the light emitting circuitin FIG. 41;

[0105]FIG. 46E is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe in thelight emitting circuit in order to emit red-eye reducing light by usingthe light emitting circuit in FIG. 41;

[0106]FIG. 46F is a time chart showing a shutter driving waveform inorder to emit red-eye reducing light by a camera containing the strobeapparatus in FIG. 41;

[0107]FIG. 47A is a time chart of a release switch signal for a cameracontaining the strobe apparatus in FIG. 41;

[0108]FIG. 47B is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 460 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit duringan actual light-emitting operation in the light emitting circuit shownin FIG. 41;

[0109]FIG. 47C is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 450 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit duringan actual light-emitting operation in the light emitting circuit shownin FIG. 41;

[0110]FIG. 47D is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 440 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit duringan actual light-emitting operation in the light emitting circuit shownin FIG. 41;

[0111]FIG. 47E is a time chart showing an output waveform of the outputterminal 470 of the control circuit in the light emitting circuit duringan actual light-emitting operation in the light emitting circuit shownin FIG. 41;

[0112]FIG. 47F is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe in thelight emitting circuit during an actual light-emitting operation in thelight emitting circuit shown in FIG. 41;

[0113]FIG. 47G is a time chart of shutter opening waveform during anactual light-emitting operation in the light emitting circuit shown inFIG. 41;

[0114]FIG. 48 is an exterior perspective diagram of a camera having astrobe apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention,which is diagonally viewed from the upper right;

[0115]FIG. 49 is a section diagram taken at the line III-III in FIG. 48;

[0116]FIG. 50 is a show-through perspective diagram schematicallyshowing an internal construction of the camera in FIG. 48;

[0117]FIG. 51 is a section diagram showing a construction of a strobelight emitting portion in the camera in FIG. 48;

[0118]FIG. 52 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit of, the strobe apparatus of the camera in FIG. 48;

[0119]FIG. 53A is a time chart of a release switch signal for a cameracontaining the strobe apparatus in FIG. 52;

[0120]FIG. 53B is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST1 outputterminal of a control circuit during an operation for emitting auxiliarylight for AF distance measurement or red-eye reducing light by the lightemitting circuit shown in FIG. 52;

[0121]FIG. 53C is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST2 outputterminal of a control circuit during an operation for emitting auxiliarylight for AF distance measurement or red-eye reducing light by the lightemitting circuit shown in FIG. 52;

[0122]FIG. 53D is a time chart of transformer secondary side outputvoltage V564b during an operation for emitting auxiliary light for AFdistance measurement or red-eye reducing light by the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 52;

[0123]FIG. 53E is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe during anoperation for emitting auxiliary light for AF distance measurement orred-eye reducing light by the light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 52;

[0124]FIG. 53F is a time chart of an waveform of a VB measuring terminalfor power source voltage during an operation for emitting auxiliarylight for AF distance measurement or red-eye reducing light by the lightemitting circuit shown in FIG. 52;

[0125]FIG. 54 is an exterior perspective diagram of a camera having astrobe apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the invention,which is diagonally viewed from the upper right;

[0126]FIG. 55 is a section diagram taken at the line IV-IV in FIG. 54;

[0127]FIG. 56 is a show-through perspective diagram schematicallyshowing an internal construction of the camera in FIG. 54;

[0128]FIG. 57 is a section diagram showing a construction of a strobelight emitting portion in the camera in FIG. 56;

[0129]FIG. 58 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit of the strobe apparatus according to the eighth embodiment inFIG. 54;

[0130]FIG. 59A is a time chart of a release switch signal for a cameracontaining the strobe apparatus in FIG. 58;

[0131]FIG. 59B is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST1 outputterminal of a control circuit during an operation for emitting strobelight by the strobe apparatus in FIG. 58;

[0132]FIG. 59C is a time chart of an output waveform of an ST2 outputterminal of a control circuit during an operation for emitting strobelight by the strobe apparatus in FIG. 58;

[0133]FIG. 59D is a time chart of a transformer secondary side outputvoltage V664b during an operation for emitting strobe light by thestrobe apparatus in FIG. 58;

[0134]FIG. 59E is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe during anoperation for emitting strobe light by the strobe apparatus in FIG. 58;

[0135]FIG. 59F is a time chart of a shutter driving waveform of a cameracontaining the strobe apparatus in FIG. 58;

[0136]FIG. 59G is a time chart of an output waveform of a VB measuringterminal for power source voltage of a camera containing the strobeapparatus in FIG. 58;

[0137]FIG. 60 is an exterior perspective diagram of a camera having astrobe apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, whichis diagonally viewed from the upper right;

[0138]FIG. 61 is a section diagram taken at the line V-V in FIG. 60;

[0139]FIG. 62 is a show-through perspective diagram schematicallyshowing an internal construction of the camera in FIG. 60;

[0140]FIG. 63 is a section diagram showing a construction of a strobelight emitting portion in the camera in FIG. 62;

[0141]FIG. 64 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit of the strobe apparatus according to the ninth embodiment inFIG. 60;

[0142]FIG. 65A is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 770 in charging to a main capacitor in the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0143]FIG. 65B is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 760 in charging to a main capacitor in the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0144]FIG. 65C is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 750 in charging to a main capacitor in the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0145]FIG. 65D is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 740 in charging to a main capacitor in the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0146]FIG. 65E is a time chart of main capacitor charging voltage V inthe light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0147]FIG. 66A is a time chart of a release switch signal of a cameracontaining the strobe apparatus shown in FIG. 64;

[0148]FIG. 66B is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 760 during a flat light emitting operation in the lightemitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0149]FIG. 66C is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 750 during a flat light emitting operation in the lightemitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0150]FIG. 66D is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 740 during a flat light emitting operation in the lightemitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0151]FIG. 66E is a time chart of an output waveform of an outputterminal 770 during a flat light emitting operation by the lightemitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0152]FIG. 66F is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe during aflat light emitting operation by the light emitting circuit shown inFIG. 64;

[0153]FIG. 66G is a time chart of a waveform for driving a shutter frontcurtain during a flat light emitting operation of the camera containingthe strobe apparatus shown in FIG. 64;

[0154]FIG. 66H is a time chart of a waveform for driving a shutter rearcurtain during a flat light emitting operation of the camera containingthe strobe apparatus shown in FIG. 64;

[0155]FIG. 67A is a time chart of a release switch signal of the cameracontaining the strobe apparatus shown in FIG. 64;

[0156]FIG. 67B is a time chart of an output waveform of the outputterminal 760 during an operation for emitting a large amount of light inthe light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0157]FIG. 67C is a time chart of an output waveform of the outputterminal 750 during an operation for emitting a large amount of light inthe light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0158]FIG. 67D is a time chart of an output waveform of the outputterminal 740 during an operation for emitting a large amount of light inthe light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0159]FIG. 67E is a time chart of an output waveform of the outputterminal 770 during an operation for emitting a large amount of light inthe light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 64;

[0160]FIG. 67F is a time chart of light emitting current I-xe during anoperation for emitting a large amount of light in the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 64; and

[0161]FIG. 67G is a time chart of a shutter opening waveform during anoperation for emitting a large amount of light of the camera containingthe strobe apparatus shown in FIG. 64.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0162] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below withreference to drawings.

[0163] First of all, a strobe apparatus will be described as a firstembodiment of the invention.

[0164]FIG. 1 is a section diagram showing a construction of the strobeapparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspectivediagram showing a light emitting part of the strobe apparatus having apartial section.

[0165] Xenon gas is filled within a xenon tube 1, which is strobe lightemitting discharge tube. The xenon tube 1 has terminals 1 a and 1 bextending outward from the both sides. The terminal 1 a extends in alight irradiating direction. The terminal 1 b extends in the directionof a fixed member 4 of the body. The terminal 1 a bends in a directionat right angles to the xenon tube 1 and is electrically connected to alead line or substrate, not shown. On the other hand, the terminal 1 bextends linearly to the xenon tube 1 and is electrically connected to alead line or a substrate, not shown.

[0166] The terminals 1 a and 1 b extend from the end within the xenontube 1. An anode 1 c is provided at the end of the terminal 1 a on theobject side. A cathode 1 d is provided at the end of the terminal 1 b inthe body side. This is because the electrode shape of the cathode 1 d islarger than that of the electrode of the anode 1 c, and many shadows ofthe electrode may occur. Thus, the amount of irradiated light andoriented light cannot be influenced.

[0167] The surface of the xenon tube 1 is coated with a transparentelectrode 1 e called nesa coat (SNO2). The nesa coat has a function forapplying high voltage to the entire discharge part of the xenon tube 1instantly and for exciting xenon gas filled in the xenon tube 1. Thenesa coat is coated only on the part for ark discharging. In the xenontube according to the invention, the cathode 1 d part outside of the arcdischarging portion is also coated with the nesa coat as shown.

[0168] A reflection umbrella 2 has a parabolic shape, and the centerpart has an opening for being in close contact with the xenon tube 1closely. The part around the center of the reflection umbrella 2 isclosely in contact with the xenon tube as a holding portion 2 a suchthat the terminal 1 b can lie through the xenon tube 1 from the opening.Since the holding part 2 a is coated with the transparent electrode 1 e,the reflection umbrella 2 and the xenon tube 1 are electricallyconnected. In order to clearly show the range coated with thetransparent electrode 1 e in the figures, a space is provided betweenthe reflection umbrella 2 and the xenon tube 1.

[0169] The reflection umbrella 2 is closely in contact with the cathode1 d part of the xenon tube 1 and has a parabolic shape from the arcdischarge part of the xenon tube 1. In order to remove the leak of highvoltage to be applied to the reflection umbrella 2, the end surface inthe object side of the reflection umbrella 2 and the terminal 1 a arespaced apart enough. Furthermore, a lead line 3 is connected to theouter surface side of the reflection umbrella 2.

[0170] The xenon tube 1 and the umbrella 2 are fixed through a bodyfixing member 4 so as to irradiate light in a predetermined direction.In the part fixed by the fixing member 4, the two components arepress-fitted such that the degree of the contact between the xenon tube1 and the reflection umbrella 2 can be improved.

[0171] The fixing member 4 functions as a base and has a through-holefor fixing the reflection umbrella 2 and xenon tube 1. The reflectionumbrella 2 lies through the through-hole. The xenon tube 1 ispress-fitted inside of the reflection umbrella 2. Thus, the xenon tube 1and the reflection umbrella 2 can be electrically connected as describedabove.

[0172] The fixing member 4 has three through-holes in series havingdifferent diameters. In other words, viewing from the direction that thereflection umbrella 2 and xenon tube 1 are inserted, a hole 4 a havingthe largest diameter, a hole 4 b having a smaller diameter than that ofthe hole 4 a and a hole 4 c having the smallest diameter are provided.

[0173] In the hole 4 a, the reflection umbrella 2 is fixed by theperiphery of a holding portion 2 a, and the end of the holding portion 2a is abutted with a bottom 4 aa of the hole 4 a. Thus, the axialposition of the reflection umbrella 2 about the fixing member 4 can berestricted. The hole 4 b is spaced apart from the periphery of the xenontube 1 by a predetermined amount. Thus, the end of the xenon tube 1 canbe abutted with a bottom 4 ba of the hole 4 b. The hole 4 c has adiameter only enough for the terminal 1 b to lie. In this way, thefixing positions of the xenon tube 1 and reflection umbrella 2 can bedetermined by the positions of the holes 4 a to 4 c.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 3, the sectional shape of the terminal 1 a is asubstantially rectangular plate shape. The direction of thickness isarranged to be the direction to an object. Because of the terminal 1 ain this shape, less light to be reflected by the reflection umbrella 2and be irradiated to an object is blocked by the terminal 1 a or goes inthe other directions than a predetermined value, therefore more light isirradiated on the subject.

[0175] Next, an electric circuit of the strobe apparatus will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4.

[0176] In FIG. 4, a converter circuit (CNV) 11 and a serial circuit ofresistances R1 and R2 are connected in parallel with the power source Egenerally including a battery. The converter circuit 11 steps up thevoltage of the power source E when a charge signal is output from acontrol circuit (CPU) 12. The converter circuit 11 sends the stepped-upcharges to a main capacitor C1 for light emission through a diode D.

[0177] The serial circuit is a circuit for measuring an output voltagevalue of the converter circuit 11. An amount of voltage resulting fromthe multiplication of the output voltage of the converter circuit 11 by[1/resistance rate] times is generated between the resistances R1 andR2. When the resistance rate is known in advance, the voltage value ofthe converter circuit 11 can be obtained.

[0178] The diode D is a diode for preventing backflow. The diode D isprovided for preventing charges stored in the main capacitor C1 forlight emission from flowing out from the serial circuit of theresistances R1 and R2. The main capacitor C1 for light emission isprovided for storing light emission energy of the xenon tube (Xe) 1 forlight emission and is connected to the converter circuit 11 in parallelthrough the diode D.

[0179] A serial circuit of the xenon tube 1 for light emission and aswitching element IGBT for controlling light-emission current isconnected to the main capacitor C1 for light emission in parallel. Thexenon tube 1 irradiates light to an object, and the light is used forcamera-shooting. The switching element IGBT is an element forcontrolling light-emission current of the xenon tube 1 and is providedfor adjusting an amount of emitted light.

[0180] A trigger circuit having a serial circuit of a trigger capacitorC2 and a primary winding of a trigger coil T is connected to theswitching element IGBT in parallel. In order to supply energy of thetrigger capacitor C2, a resistance R3 is connected to the xenon tube 1in parallel. A secondary side output terminal of the trigger coil T isconnected to the external wall of the xenon tube 1.

[0181] Next, operations of the electric circuit having theabove-described construction will be described.

[0182] First of all, a charge signal is output from a CHG terminal ofthe control circuit 12 to the converter circuit 11. Then, charging isstarted by the converter circuit 11, and the voltage of the power sourceE is stepped-up. Then, the charging voltage to be charged in the maincapacitor C1 for light emission through the diode D is input to the VSTterminal of the control circuit 12 in the charging voltage detectingcircuit having the serial circuit of the resistances R1 and R2.

[0183] An amount of terminal voltage of a VST terminal of the controlcircuit 12 reaches a predetermined amount of voltage during thecharging, the voltage of the main capacitor C1 for light emissionbecomes light-emittable full-charging voltage. At that time, an OFFsignal is output from the CHG terminal of the control circuit 12, andthe charging stops. The charging current is charged to the maincapacitor C1 for light emission, and the same amount of voltage is alsocharged to the trigger capacitor C2 through the resistance R3.

[0184] Upon the completion of charging, a light-emission start signal isoutput from an ST terminal of the control circuit 12 to the switchingelement IGBT. When the switching element IGBT operates, charges of thetrigger capacitor C2 are discharged. Then, current changes in theprimary winding side of the trigger coil T.

[0185] When the current changes in the primary side of the trigger coilT, the energy is conducted to the secondary side. Since the output endof the secondary coil is connected to the external wall of the xenontube 1, the resistance value is infinite. Therefore, high voltage occursat the output end of the secondary winding side of the trigger coil T,and xenon gas within the xenon tube 1 is excited.

[0186] The high voltage may cause failures in light emission and/orother failures when discharging (trigger leak) to the other components,not shown, occurs. When xenon gas is excited, the resistance within thexenon tube 1 decreases. Thus, current flows, and the current releaselight.

[0187] When ON time of the switching element IGBT reaches apredetermined time, an OFF signal is output from the ST terminal of thecontrol circuit 12. When the OFF signal is input to the switchingelement IGBT, the operation of the switching element IGBT is stopped.Then, current is cut. When current is cut, current in the xenon tube 1is stopped, and the light emission is stopped.

[0188] The strobe apparatus according to the first embodiment having theabove-described construction has nesa coat on the exterior of thedischarging portion of the xenon tube 1. Furthermore, nesa coat iscoated on the contact part of the xenon tube 1 and the parabolicreflection umbrella 2. Thus, trigger voltage having been applied to thereflection umbrella 2 can be directly applied to the surface of thexenon tube 1. Therefore, a strobe apparatus can be provided which caneasily emit light. Furthermore, since no trigger electrodes existbetween the strobe apparatus and an object, even light can bedistributed, and an enough amount of light can be supplied.

[0189] Since the xenon tube is provided at a proper position by beingpress-fitted in the reflection umbrella, a better contact characteristiccan be obtained, which can cause triggering easily.

[0190] In FIG. 3, the sectional shape of the terminal 1 a is illustratedas a substantially rectangular place. However, the sectional shape isnot limited thereto. For example, the sectional shape of an electrode inthe thickness direction may be round.

[0191] Next, variation examples of the first embodiment will bedescribed.

[0192] While, according to the first embodiment, the entire holdingportion 2 a at the center of the parabolic reflection umbrella 2 isconnected and is fixed to the end of the xenon tube 1 through thetransparent electrode 1 e, a part of the holding portion 2 a may be cutout as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B for using the elasticity.

[0193]FIGS. 5A and 5B show a construction of a variation example of thefirst embodiment. FIG. 5A is an exterior perspective diagram showing aconstruction of a holding portion of a reflection umbrella. FIG. 5B is asection diagram of a holding portion of the reflection umbrella and axenon tube.

[0194] For example, a notch 2 b for press-connection is provided atthree circumferential positions of the holding portion 2 a of thereflection umbrella 2. The notch 2 b for press-connection is elastic inthe direction of the center axis of the holding portion 2 a and has aprojection 2 c integrally provided near the pointed end. Because of theelasticity, when the projection 2 c is in contact with the xenon tube 1through the transparent electrode 1 e, the xenon tube 1 and thereflection umbrella 2 are electrically connected. Also with thisconstruction, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can beobtained.

[0195] Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described.

[0196] Since the construction of a strobe apparatus according to thesecond embodiment is substantially the same as that of the strobeapparatus according to the first embodiment, the same reference numeralsare given to the same components as those of the first embodiment andthe descriptions will be omitted below.

[0197]FIG. 6 is a section diagram showing a construction of the strobeapparatus according to the second embodiment of the invention.

[0198] A ring 5 containing a conductive material is provided at a partconnecting the xenon tube 1 and the reflection umbrella 2. The ring 5also contains an elastic material and can be closely attached to both ofthe xenon tube 1 and the reflection umbrella 2. The ring 5 may contain atransparent or white material, such as lubber and resin, which does notabsorb heat generated when the xenon tube 1 emits light.

[0199] The ring 5 is closely in contact with the xenon tube 1 and thereflection umbrella 2 as shown in FIG. 7. The ring 5 includes aconductive portion 5 a and an insulating portion 5 b. The conductingportion 5 a is the pointed end on which a transparent electrode 1 e ofthe xenon tube 1 is coated. The insulating portion 5 b is the other partcontaining an insulator.

[0200] Trigger voltage caused in the reflection umbrella 2 is blocked bythe end of he insulating portion 5 b. Trigger voltage caused in thexenon tube 1 is blocked by a part of the insulating portion 5 b closelyin contact with the xenon tube 1. Therefore, the trigger leak to theother components, not shown, does not occur.

[0201] In this way, a ring for connecting the parabolic reflectionumbrella and the xenon tube is provided in the strobe apparatus havingthe construction according to the second embodiment. Thus, a strobeapparatus can be provided in which trigger voltage can be easily appliedby the xenon tube.

[0202] Since the part to be triggered of the ring material is arrangedto be conductive while the other part is arranged to be insulating,trigger voltage can be applied easily. Furthermore, the trigger leakdoes not occur. Since no trigger electrodes exist between the strobeapparatus and an object, even light can be distributed, and an enoughamount of light can be supplied.

[0203] Next, variation examples of the second embodiment of theinvention will be described.

[0204]FIG. 8 shows a construction of a variation example of the secondembodiment and is a section diagram of a holding portion of thereflection umbrella and the xenon tube.

[0205] According to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the end ofthe insulating portion 5 b of the ring 5 opens from the center axis ofthe reflection umbrella 2 toward the outside. On the other hand, in thisvariation example, as shown in FIG. 8, the insulating portion 5 b of thering 5 covers the periphery of the terminal 1 b extending from the xenontube 1.

[0206] Also with this construction, the same effects as those of thesecond embodiment can be obtained.

[0207] As described above, according to the first and secondembodiments, an electrode for trigger application is provided on theexterior of the discharging part of the discharge tube, and theelectrode part is in contact with the reflection umbrella. Then, triggervoltage is applied to the discharge tube. Thus, a strobe apparatus canbe provided which can easily emit light. Furthermore, since no triggerelectrodes exist between the strobe apparatus and an object, even lightcan be distributed, and an enough amount of light can be supplied.

[0208] Since the discharge tube is press-fitted in the reflectionumbrella, a strobe apparatus can be provided with a better contactcharacteristic and without failed light emission and trigger noise.

[0209] Since an elastic ring is provided at a contact part of thedischarge tube and reflection umbrella, a strobe apparatus can beprovided with a higher contact characteristic between the discharge tubeand the reflection umbrella.

[0210] Furthermore, since the contact part between the elastic ring andthe transparent electrode of the discharge tube is conductive and theother part is insulating, a strobe apparatus can be provided which canachieve applicability of trigger voltage and the prevention of triggerleak.

[0211] Next, a camera having a camera-blur warning function according toa third embodiment of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 9 showing the block construction.

[0212] The camera having a camera-blur warning function according tothis embodiment includes a CPU 21, an IFIC 22, a memory (EEPROM) 23, alight-measuring portion 24, an auto-focus (AF) portion 25, an auto-focus(AF) sensor 26, a liquid crystal display element (LCD) 27, an in-finderLCD 28, a strobe circuit 29, a main capacitor 30, a shooting lens 31, awarning display portion 32, a resistance 33, switches (release switches)34 a and 34 b, a mode switching switch 35 (first operating member), astrobe mode switch 36 (second operating member), a motor 38, arotational blades 39, and a photo interrupter 37. The CPU 21 controlsthe entire camera. The EEPROM 23 stores data for adjustment. The LCD 27displays information relating to a setting state of the camera andrelating to shooting. The in-finder LCD 28 is provided in a finder fordisplaying information relating to shooting. The strobe circuit 29includes a light emitting tube for emitting auxiliary light and so on.The main capacitor 30 charges for causing the light-emitting tube toemit light. The shooting lens 31 has a zooming function. The warningdisplay portion 32 includes an LED. The resistance 33 is seriallyconnected to the warning display portion 32. The switches 34 a and 34 bare used for starting a shooting sequence of the camera. The modeswitching switch 35 sets camera modes including a camera-blur detectingmode (vibration detecting mode). The strobe mode switch 36 is forchanging a light emitting state of a strobe apparatus of the camera. Themotor 38 drives driving mechanisms such as a shooting lens, shutter andfilm-feeding. The rotational blade 39 rotates in connection with themotor 38. The photo interrupter 37 optically detects a hole of therotating rotational blade 39 for controlling the driving of the motor38.

[0213] In order to drive driving mechanisms such as a shutter 40 and azoom lens body frame, the one to be driven by the motor 38 can beswitched by a switching mechanism. Alternatively, a motor may beprovided in each driving mechanism separately.

[0214] In this construction, the CPU 21 performs a camera shootingsequence in accordance with the operation states of the release switches34 a and 34 b. In other words, in accordance with the output of the AFsensor 26, in addition to the warning indication by the in-finder LCD 28for camera-blur warning, the AF portion 25 during shooting and thelight-measuring portion 24 for measuring the intensity of an object forexposure control are driven. Then, the motor 38 is controlled throughthe IFIC 22 in response to the receipt of a required signal. In thiscase, the rotation of the motor 38 is conducted to the rotational blade39, and the IFIC 22 matches waveforms of a signal output by thephoto-interrupter 37 in accordance with the position of the presence ofa hole for the adjustment. Then, the CPU 21 monitors the rotationalstate of the motor 38. Furthermore, the strobe circuit 29 emitsauxiliary light as required.

[0215]FIG. 10 shows a principle of distance measuring by the AF sensor,which is a distance-measuring sensor.

[0216] A distance between main points of two photo-receptive lenses 26 ais called base line length B. A relative position difference x of animage 42 of an object 41 formed on a pair of sensor arrays 26 b iscalculated. A focal distance f of the photo-receptive lenses is used toobtain an object distance L based on the triangulationdistance-measuring principle and based on the relationship, L=B*f/x. Thesensor array 26 a outputs an electric signal in accordance with theimage variation of light and shades from multiple pixels and forms animage signal.

[0217]FIG. 11 is an example of a warning pattern to be displayed on thein-finder LCD 28. The one used for the screen display in panorama modeand for blackout display indicating the firing of the shutter is alsoused as the in-finder LCD 28.

[0218] A light-shield pattern for a screen PA and screen PC shown inFIG. 11 is a light-shield pattern to be displayed in the panoramashooting setting, which is used. First of all, as shown in the screenPA, the light in the upper area is only shielded. Next, as shown in thescreen PB, the light in the center area indicating a range to be shot inthe panorama shooting is only shielded. Finally, the light of the lowerarea of the panorama light-shielding portion is only shielded as shownin the screen PC. These steps are sequentially repeated in thelight-shield pattern. By repeating the display pattern, the occurrenceof camera blurs can be informed to a user looking into the finder. Whenthe PA, PB and PC patterns are used for light-shielding at the sametime, a blackout display can be obtained.

[0219]FIGS. 12A and 12B show an exterior of one construction example ofa camera having this kind of camera-blur detecting mode. Here, FIG. 12Ashows a construction viewed from the back side of the camera. FIG. 12Bis a perspective diagram of a front construction. An operation forwarning the occurrence of camera blurs based on the camera-blurdetection will be described with reference to these drawings.Furthermore, an operation for warning the occurrence of camera blursbased on the camera-blur detection without the in-finder LCD will bedescribed.

[0220]FIG. 13 shows a state where a shooting person is holding a camerain one hand. FIG. 14 shows relationships of an image signal anddifferences of absolute values with respect to pixel positions in ahorizontal shift. FIG. 15 shows relationships of an image signal anddifferences of absolute values with respect to pixel positions in avertical shift.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 12A, a finder eyepiece 52 is provided on theback of a camera 51. A light emitting diode (LED) 53 is provided next tothe finder eyepiece 52. When a camera blur occurs, the LED 53 flashes.Thus, a user can recognize the warning even when he/she is holding thecamera. When the shooting person 41 recognizes the warning, the shootingperson 41 can give his/her left hand to the camera 51 being held by onehand (right hand) as shown in FIG. 13. Then, the shooting person 41 canhold the camera 51 more tightly in order to take measures for preventingthe blurs. An LCD 27 for mode indication, a switch 35 for mode settingand a release button (or release switch) 34 are provided on the camera51.

[0222] As shown in FIG. 12B, a shooting lens 31 is provided on the frontsurface of the camera 51. A finder objective lens 55 and photo-receptivelenses for a light-measuring and distance-measuring unit 56 are providedabove the shooting lens 31. Furthermore, a strobe light-emitting portion57 and a self-timer LED 58 are provided. When the LED 58 is caused toflush upon the occurrence of camera blurs, a user in front of the cameracan recognizes whether a shooting person whom the user asks to shootcauses camera blurs or not.

[0223] As shown in FIG. 12B, a barrier 59 is provided on the front ofthe camera 51. The barrier 59 is slidable and can cover the shootinglens 31, the finder objective lens 55 and the photo-receptive lens ofthe light-measuring and distance-measuring unit 56 when the camera isbeing carried. The barrier 59 may also function as a power-sourceswitch. When the barrier 59 is opened, the power source can be turned onand the collapsing shooting lens 31 can be let out to a predeterminedposition. Then, the shootable state can be obtained. On the other hand,when the barrier 59 is attempted to close, the shooting lens 31 iscollapsed, and the power source is turned off.

[0224] The LED 53 near the finder eyepiece lens 52 on the back of thecamera may be also used as the LED for the indication of the state wherean existing strobe apparatus is being charged and/or for the indicationof AF focusing.

[0225] After the camera-blur detecting mode is set, when the camera isbeing held in an unstable manner and is shaking, the in-finder LCD 28may flash as described above. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 12A, theLED 53 near the camera finder eyepiece 52 may flash for warning.

[0226] Furthermore, while the camera is shaking, the LED 58 for aself-timer indication on the front of the camera may flash. Thus, theuser of the camera can recognize the state that the camera being held bya shooting person whom the user asks to shoot the user is shaking.

[0227] The AF sensor 26 further includes a vibration detecting portion.A method for determining camera blurs based on the image output from theAF sensor 26 will be described.

[0228] Here, a pair of photo-receptive lenses is aligned in thehorizontal direction of the camera shown in FIG. 12B, and the directionof the base line length is the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG.16A, when the camera 51 is moved horizontally, a monitor range 62 of theAF sensor changes to a monitor range 61. The image data of the object 41is shifted horizontally (in the direction of the pixel position: sensorNo.) by the difference ΔX between timing t1 and timing t2 as indicatedby the image signal in FIG. 14.

[0229] As shown in FIG. 16B, when the camera 51 is moved vertically, themonitor range 62 of the AF sensor changes to a monitor range 63. Thus, alarge change in monitor position, that is, change in image may occur.For example, a part monitoring the eyes may come to monitor the mouse.As indicated by the image signal in FIG. 15, the shape of the imagesignal itself may be different in the timing t1 and timing t2.

[0230] Therefore, as indicated by the absolute value of the differencein FIG. 15, whether any change has occurred or not can be determinedbased on the difference between pixels.

[0231] The maximum change value ΔIMAX may be used to determine a changein image, that is, the magnitude of a camera blur. However, when theΔIMAX alone is used for the determination, the sensor data output by thesame pixel may change significantly largely in the horizontal shift asshown in by the image signal in FIG. 14 as indicated by the absolutevalue of the difference in FIG. 15 for a not-so-large camera blur.

[0232] In other words, in the method for determining a camera bluramount by using the ΔIMAX, the horizontal blur is determined as asignificantly large blur. Conversely, the vertical blur is determined asa small blur. In order to solve the problem, according to thisembodiment, when the camera blurs horizontally (by a horizontal bluramount of ΔX), the blur is not determined by using the ΔIMAX. Then, theproper change in image signal and the magnitude relationship incamera-blur amount are used to determine the magnitude of the blurcorrectly. FIG. 17 shows the relationship. Thus, camera blurs can bedetermined in a highly reliable manner.

[0233] A camera main sequence for implementing the camera-blursdetermination with the above-described construction will be describedwith reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.

[0234] First of all, the power source switch of the camera is turned on(the barrier 59 is opened), and the components are activated and areinitialized (step S1). For the initialization, ports within the CPU 21and the RAM are set. Then, data stored in the EEPROM 23 is read and isexpanded to the RAM in the CPU 21. The state of the battery within thecamera is checked. If the battery voltage is not enough, an indicationfor empty battery is displayed on the LCD panel 26 for a predeterminedperiod of time. Then, the camera operation is inhibited. If the enoughamount of battery remains, a number of frames and/or the mode aredisplayed on the LCD panel 27.

[0235] Next, the shooting lens 31 is let out from the storage positionto the shootable position (step S2). When the main capacitor 30 does nothave strobe charging voltage, the main capacitor 30 is charged (stepS3). While charging, states (ON/OFF states) of operation switches in thecamera are checked (step S4). Here, the camera is operated in accordancewith the state of the read operation switch.

[0236] Next, whether the release button 34 has been pressed by ashooting person or not is determined (step S5). If it is determined thatthe release switch 1RSW 34 a and 2RSW 34 b have been pressed (YES), theprocessing goes to a release sequence (step S6) for distance measuringand light measuring. A distance to an object and the intensity of theobject are measured and are adjusted so as to obtain proper exposure.After the exposure, the processing goes to a step S11.

[0237] If the release switch 1RSW 34 a has not been turned on at thestep S5 (NO), whether the zoom switch, that is zoom-in or zoom-out SWhas been operated or not is determined (step S7). Here, if the zoomswitch has been operated (YES), a manual zooming operation is performedfor operating in accordance with the manipulated amount. Then, the focaldistance data of the camera is computed (step S8), and the processinggoes to the step S11. On the other hand, at the step S7, if the zoomswitch has not been manipulated (NO), whether the mode switching switch35 has been manipulated or not is determined (step S9). If the switch 35has been manipulated (YES), the camera shooting mode is switched (stepS10).

[0238] Next, the shooting mode is set in the camera-blur detecting mode,and the whether a zooming operation or other operations have beenperformed or not is determined based on the changes in the releaseswitch and/or zoom switch (step S11). When these switching operationshave been performed (YES), the camera-blur detection is stopped whilethe zooming operation and/or release operation is being performed. Sincethe shooting condition is not known, the intensity of the object ismeasured and the shutter speed is computed (step S12) for computing thecamera-blur determining level. The obtained shutter speed and the focaldistance data computed at the step S8 are used for computing thecamera-blur determining level again (step S13).

[0239] Then, whether the camera-blur detecting mode is set or not isdetermined (step S14). If the camera-blur detecting mode is set (YES),whether it is camera-blur detecting timing or not is determined (stepS15). Generally, the camera-blur detecting-cycle is about 5 to 10 Hz. Inthis embodiment, the cycle is about 50 msec.

[0240] Apparently, this numeral value is an example and is not limitedthereto. If the camera-blur detecting mode is not set (NO), theprocessing goes to a step S28, which will be described later. If it isdetermined at the step S15 that it is the camera-blur detecting timing(YES), an image is detected (step S16). On the other hand, if it is notthe camera-blur detecting timing (NO), the processing goes to the stepS28, which will be described later. Since the part having the largestchange in image (large contrast) in the result from the image detectionis needed in order to increase an amount of information, an image signalIn of the part having the largest output difference between adjacentsensors (pixels) is obtained (step S17). Next, a horizontal shift amountΔX (see the image signal in FIG. 14) is detected (step S18) from thedifference between the maximum adjacent difference In−1 computed at thestep S17 in the previous timing and the maximum adjacent difference Incomputed in this timing.

[0241] Next, it is determined whether the obtained horizontal shiftamount ΔX is equal to or more than a predetermined value X0, which is apredetermined standard or not (step S19). If it is determined that theamount ΔX is equal to or more than the predetermined value X0 (YES), thelarge horizontal shift is determined and a warning is displayed (stepS23). The method for displaying the warning is the same as the displaymethod as shown in FIGS. 11, 12A and 12B. On the other hand, if it isdetermined at the step S19 that the horizontal shift amount is below thepredetermined value X0 (NO), it is determined that the horizontal shiftamount is equal to or below the amount for one sensor (step S20). If itis determined that the amount is equal to or more than one sensor (NO),the processing goes to a step S24, which will be described later.However, if the shift amount is above the amount for one sensor (YES),the maximum value ΔIMAX for each pixel between the maximum adjacentdifferences In and In−1 is detected (step S21).

[0242] Then, the obtained MAX value ΔIMAX and a predetermined value ΔI0are compared (step S22). If the amount of change is large, theprocessing goes to a step S23 and a warning indication is given. On theother hand, the amount of change is small (NO), no warning indicationsare given. Then, it is determined whether the amount of image changeobtained by computing is equal to or more than a predetermined value ornot (step S24).

[0243] Here, if the image change is equal to or more than thepredetermined value (YES), the composition being formed by the shootingperson may be changed and his/her viewing place may be changed or theintensity may be changed largely. Then, the light is measured again(step S25), and the camera-blur determining amount is calculated again(step S26).

[0244] Next, the camera-blur detecting cycle is calculated in accordancewith the amount in image change and the measured intensity information(step S27). It is determined whether the power switch has been turnedoff or not (step S28). If the power switch has not been turned off, theprocessing returns to the step S3 and then the same sequence isimplemented. If the power switch has been turned off (YES), the shootinglens 31 of the camera is accommodated into the camera. Then, the camerais switched to the low-power-consumption mode, and the processing ends.

[0245] Here, the types of the strobe mode for the camera according tothis embodiment will be described.

[0246] The strobe mode for the camera includes

[0247] (1) auto mode, in which a dark place, a back light state, anartificial light such as a fluorescent light or the like is detected andstrobe light is emitted automatically;

[0248] (2) red-eye reducing mode, in which, for preventing a photographof an object having red-eyes, the pupils of the object is contracted bymultiple times of strobe preparation light emission or the lighting-upof the self-LED before the exposure starts when the strobe lightemission is required in the auto mode;

[0249] (3) strobe-off mode, in which strobe light emission is forciblystopped for shooting in a place where strobe shooting is inhibited orfor taking photographs with the mood of the place;

[0250] (4) forced-light-emission mode, in which strobe light must beemitted in order to eliminate an unnatural shadow on an object, forexample, or shades on the face of an object in a back-light scene;

[0251] (5) night-view mode, in which the exposure is adjusted for thebackground intensity and the brightness of the object is optimizedthrough strobe light emission in order to take night-view photographs;and

[0252] (6) night-view and red-eye reducing mode, in which the red-eyereducing effect is added to the night-view mode.

[0253] The strobe mode is sequentially changed by manipulating thestrobe mode switch 36. The normal mode, self-timer using mode, remotecontrol mode and camera-blur detecting mode are sequentially switched byoperating the mode switching switch 35.

[0254] Next, the mode switching to the camera-blur detecting mode(vibration detecting mode) will be described with reference to aflowchart shown in FIG. 20.

[0255] Since a user needs to set a mode, this sequence is started whenthe mode switching switch 35 is manipulated. First of all, it isdetermined whether the current mode is set in the normal mode or not(step S31). If it is determined that the normal mode is set (YES), themode is switched to the self-timer mode (step S32). On the other hand,if it is determined that the current mode is not the normal mode (NO),it is determined whether the self-timer mode is set or not (step S33).Here, if the self timer mode is set (YES), the mode is changed to theremote control mode (step S34). On the other hand, if the self-timermode is not set (NO), it is determined whether the remote control modeis set or not (step S35).

[0256] Here, if the remote control mode is set (YES), it is determinedwhether the current strobe mode is set in either auto mode or red-eyelight emission mode before the mode is switched to the camera-blurdetecting mode (step S36). If the current strobe mode is set in eitherone (YES), the mode is switched to the camera-blur detecting mode (stepS37). Furthermore, the back-up flag for the camera-blur detecting modeis set (step S38).

[0257] Under a condition where the camera-blur detecting mode is set,the mode for inhibiting camera-blur detection is selected bymanipulating the strobe mode switch 36 for clearing the camera-blurdetecting mode. Then, the strobe mode for allowing the camera-blurdetecting mode is set again. In this case, the back-up flag allows theautomatic setting of the camera-blur detecting mode without themanipulation of the mode switching switch 35.

[0258] At the step S36, if the other strobe mode than the auto mode andthe red-eye light emission mode is set (NO) and if the strobeforced-light-emission mode is set, a camera-blur preventing effect mayoccur, for example, because of strobe light emission. In the night-viewmode or in the night-view and red-eye mode, the image detection by theAF sensor cannot be implemented since an object has low intensity atnight. Thus, correct camera-blur detection cannot be achieved.Therefore, the mode is not switched to the camera-blur detecting modebut is switched to the normal mode (step S40). If it is determined atthe step S35 that the remote control mode is not set (NO), it isdetermined that the camera-blur detecting mode is set. Then, the back-upflag for the camera-blur detecting mode is cleared, and the processinggoes to the step S40 where the normal mode is set.

[0259] The changing of the strobe mode will be described with referenceto a flowchart shown in FIG. 21.

[0260] Since a user needs to set the strobe mode, this sequence isstarted by manipulating the mode switching switch 35. First of all, itis determined whether the current strobe mode is set in the auto mode ornot (step S51). Here, if the auto mode is set (YES), the auto mode isswitched to the red-eye reducing mode (step S52). On the other hand, ifthe auto mode is not set (NO), it is determined whether the red-eyereducing mode is set or not (step S52). Here, if the red-eye reducingmode is set (YES), the mode is switched to the strobe off mode (stepS54). On the other hand, if the red-eye reducing mode is not set (NO),it is determined whether the strobe-off mode is set or not (step S55).

[0261] If it is determined that the strobe off set mode is set (YES),the mode is switched and is set to the forced-light emission mode (stepS56). On the other hand, if the strobe off mode is not set (NO), it isdetermined whether the forced light emission mode is set or not (stepS57). If it is determined that the forced-light emission mode is set(YES), the mode is switched and is set to the night-view mode (stepS58). If the forced light emission mode is not set (NO), it isdetermined whether the night-view mode is set or not (step S59). If thenight-view mode is set (YES), the night-view and red-eye reducing modeis set (step S60). If the night-view mode is not set (NO), it isdetermined that the night-view and red-eye mode is set. Then, theauto-mode is set (step S61).

[0262] Next, after the setting of these modes, it is determined whetherthe back-up flag for the camera-blur detecting mode is set or not (stepS62). Here, if the flag is set (YES), the camera-blur detecting mode isset (step S63).

[0263] Next, it is determined whether the strobe mode (auto mode,red-eye reducing mode or strobe-off mode) allowing the selection of thecamera-blur detecting mode is set or not (step S64). If it is determinedthat the strobe mode allowing the selection is set (YES), thecamera-blur detecting mode is cleared (step S65). Then, the set modesare displayed on the LCD, and the above-described processing ends (stepS66).

[0264] As described above, according to the third embodiment, theexecution and termination of the camera-blur detecting mode may beswitched in accordance with the setting of the strobe mode of thecamera. Thus, when camera-blurs may easily occur in shooting, thecamera-blur detecting mode may be set. Then, a warning is given when acamera-blur occurs such that the shooting person can recognize theoccurrence of the camera blur. As a result, shooting without camera-blurfailures can be achived.

[0265] Furthermore, for detecting camera blurs for determining thecorrect holding, an optical sensor installed in the camera as aconventional sensor for distance measurement is used. Therefore, theoccurrence of camera blurs can be determined in a highly reliable mannerwithout any increase in costs.

[0266] By using a camera according to the third embodiment, the correctcamera blur detection can be performed with a simple construction andwithout any increase in costs such that warnings against camera blurscan be given to a shooting person clearly.

[0267]FIG. 22 is a perspective diagram showing an exterior of a cameracontaining a strobe apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of theinvention. FIG. 23 is a section diagram taken at the line I-I in FIG. 22and shows an internal arrangement of main components of the camera. FIG.24 is a perspective diagram showing an internal arrangement of maincomponents of the camera in FIG. 22.

[0268] As shown in FIG. 22, a lens barrel unit 73, a finder window 74and a strobe light-emitting window 75 are arranged on the front surfaceof an exterior (camera body cover) 72 of the camera 71 according to thisembodiment. A release switch operation button 76 is arranged on the topsurface of the exterior 72. A slidable zoom operation lever 77 isarranged on the back surface of the exterior 72.

[0269] As shown in FIG. 23, a cassette installing chamber 81 and a spoolchamber 82 are located next to the lens barrel unit 73 in the camera 71.A main capacitor 98 for light emission of the strobe apparatus isarranged outside of the cassette installing chamber 81.

[0270] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 24, a finder unit 84 is locatedabove the lens barrel unit 73 and behind the finder window 74 in thecamera 71. A strobe light emitting unit 85 of the strobe apparatus and apower source battery 92 are provided above the spool chamber 82 andbehind the strobe window 85.

[0271] The construction of the strobe apparatus in the camera 71according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 25showing a circuit for emitting strobe light.

[0272] The strobe apparatus has the strobe light emitting unit 85 and astrobe light emitting circuit 90.

[0273] The strobe light emitting unit 85 has a Xe tube 99 (in FIG. 25)and a reflection umbrella 100 (in FIG. 24). The Xe tube 99 is a singledischarge tube containing xenon gas.

[0274] The Xe tube 99 has an anode side electrode 99 a, a cathode sideelectrode 99 b and a clear external electrode 99 c. The externalelectrode 99 c is a trigger electrode and is coated on the exterior of aglass tube so as not to prevent the light transmission.

[0275] As shown in FIG. 25, the strobe light emitting circuit 90includes a control circuit portion 91, a battery 92, a step-uposcillation transformer 95, switching elements 93 and 94, a bridge diode96, a light emission main capacitor 98, a relay switch 97, a triggertransformer 101, a trigger capacitor 102, a resistance element 103, andan insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) 104. The control circuitportion 91 is a control unit for controlling strobe light emission. Thebattery 92 is a power source for driving the camera. A step-uposcillation transformer 95 is a second light emitting unit and is usedfor applying high voltage to the Xe tube 99. The switching elements 93and 94 are two MOS-FET. The main capacitor 98 is a first light emittingunit for storing charges for light emission. The relay switch 97 isconnected to the main capacitor 98 and switches charge states. Thetrigger transformer 101, trigger capacitor 102 and resistance element103 establish a trigger circuit. The IGBT 104 is a switching element forlight emission.

[0276] The control circuit portion 91 is responsible for strobe lightemission control and for control relating to shooting by the camera 71.The control circuit portion 91 includes an ST1 terminal 91 a, an ST2terminal 91 b, a V-SW terminal 91 c and a V-IG terminal 91 d. The ST1terminal 91 a is an output terminal for turning ON/OFF the switchingelements 93 and 94. The V-SW terminal 91 c is an output terminal forturning ON/OFF the relay switch 97. The V-IG terminal 91 d is an outputterminal for turning ON/OFF the IGBT 104.

[0277] The oscillation transformer 95 mainly includes an iron core 95 e,two primary windings 95 a and 95 b wounded about the iron core 95 e andconnected in series, and a secondary winding 95 c wound about the ironcore 95 e and having more number of winds than that of the primarywinding to generate high voltage.

[0278] One ends of the primary windings 95 a and 95 b are connected tothe battery 92 in parallel, while the other ends are connected to thesource sides of the switching elements 93 and 94.

[0279] Both ends of the secondary winding 95 c are connected totwo-input ends of the bridge diode 96.

[0280] One output terminal of the bridge diode 96 is connected to therelay switch terminal 97, the anode of the Xe tube 99 and the resistanceelement 103. The output voltage of the secondary winding 95 c is appliedto the anode side of the Xe tube 99 through the bridge diode 96.

[0281] The output terminal of the bridge diode 96 is connected to theprimary side of the trigger transformer 101 of the trigger circuitthrough the resistance element 103 and the trigger capacitor 102. Thesecondary side of the trigger transformer 101 is connected to theexternal electrode 99 c of the Xe tube 99, and high trigger voltage isapplied to the secondary side of the trigger transformer 101.

[0282] The IGBT 104 is connected to the cathode side of Xe tube 99together with the resistance element 103 and trigger capacitor 102 andturns ON/OFF the light-emission current I-ex of the Xe tube 99.

[0283] Next, an operation for strobe light-emission control in thestrobe apparatus of the camera according to this embodiment having theabove-described embodiment will be described with reference to thecircuit diagram in FIG. 25 and FIGS. 26A to 26D, 27A to 27G, 28A to 28G.

[0284] The FIGS. 26A to 28G are time charts for signal waveforms in thestrobe apparatus. FIGS. 26A to 26D are time charts while main capacitorfor light emission is being charged. FIGS. 27A to 27G are time chartsfor an operation for emitting a large amount of light. FIGS. 28A to 28Gare time charts for an operation for emitting a small amount of light.

[0285] The strobe apparatus allows the control for emission of a largeamount of light by using charges stored in the main capacitor 98 forlight emission and the control for emission of a small amount of lightfor causing the Xe tube 99 to emit light directly by using the outputvoltage of the oscillation transformer 95 by using the battery. Thecontrol for emission of a large amount of light is implemented when anamount of light required for exposure to a photograph medium (such as aphoto-film and a CCD) in strobe-shooting is beyond a predeterminedvalue. The control for emission of a small amount of light isimplemented when an amount of light required for exposure to aphotograph medium (such as a photo-film and a CCD) in the strobeshooting is equal to or below the predetermined value.

[0286] First of all, when charging operation to the main capacitor 98for light emission will be described. An ON signal is output from theV-SW terminal of the control circuit portion 91 in an initial state, andthe relay switch 97 is held in an ON state. Then, the main capacitor 98becomes chargeable.

[0287] Then, pulse signals, which are ON/OFF signals, are outputalternately from the ST1 terminal and ST2 terminal of the controlcircuit 91, and the switching elements 93 and 94 are alternately turnedon and off. Thus, current is fed from the battery 92 to the primarywinding 95 a and primary winding 95 b of the oscillation transformer 95.When current flows through the primary windings 95 a and 95 b, energy isconducted to the secondary winding 95 c side of the oscillationtransformer 95. Then, charges are stored into the main capacitor 98through the bridge diode 96.

[0288] After the switching elements 93 and 94 are turned on and offrepeatedly as shown in FIGS. 26A to 26D and the charging voltage Vc ofthe main capacitor 98 reaches a predetermined full charging voltage Vc0,the outputs of the ST1 terminal and ST2 terminal of the control circuitportion 91 are turned off. Furthermore, an OFF signal is output from theV-SW terminal to switch off the relay switch 97. Then, the chargingoperation ends. When the main capacitor 98 is charged, the triggercapacitor 102 is also charged. During the charging period, the V-IGterminal of the control circuit portion 91 is turned off, and the IGBT104 is kept in the OFF state.

[0289] After the completion of the charging, the control for emission ofa large amount of light is performed (FIGS. 27A to 27G). For example,when the release switch of the camera 71 is turned on (FIG. 27G), an ONsignal is output from the V-SW terminal (FIG. 27A) by keeping the ST1and ST2 terminals of the control circuit portion 91 in the OFF state.Then, the relay switch 97 is turned on. By turning on the relay switch97, the main capacitor 98 can communicate with the anode side of the Xetube 99.

[0290] Subsequently, an ON signal is output from the V-IG terminal ofthe control circuit portion 91 (FIG. 27D) when the shutter of the camera71 is opened. Then, the IGBT 104 is switched to the conductive state,and charges stored in the trigger capacitor 102 are fed between the IGBT104 and the primary winding of the trigger transformer 101. Then, energyis transmitted to the secondary winding side because of the currentflowing through the primary winding. The energy having been transmittedto the secondary winding is converted to high voltage and is applied tothe external electrode 99 c of the Xe tube 99. Since the exteriorelectrode 99 c of the Xe tube 99 exposes a very high resistance value,high trigger voltage is applied to the exterior electrode 99 c.

[0291] In the Xe tube 99, xenon gas is excited because of theapplication of the trigger voltage, and insulating resistance decreasesrapidly. Then, charges stored in the main capacitor 98 are fed to theground side through the Xe tube 99 and the IGBT 104 as light emittingcurrent I-xe (FIG. 27E), and the Xe tube 99 emits light.

[0292] When the amount of light emitted by the Xe tube 99 reaches apredetermined value, or when the light is emitted for a predeterminedperiod of time, the output of the V-IG terminal of the control circuitportion 91 is turned off. Then, the IGBT 104 is brought intononconduction, and the light emitting current I-xe is cut (FIG. 27E).Then, the light emission is terminated. The ST1 and ST2 terminals of thecontrol circuit portion 91 are kept off even during the light emittingperiod of time (FIGS. 27B and 27C).

[0293] The control for emission of a large amount of light is suitablefor strobe shooting, which discharges a large amount of charges storedin the light emission main capacitor 98 for a short period of time andrequires a large amount of light to be emitted.

[0294] Next, the control for emission of a small amount of light will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 28A to 28G. The emission of smallamount of light requires charging to the trigger capacitor 102 but doesnot require charging to the light emission main capacitor 98.Irrespective of the charging state of the main capacitor 98, theemission of a small amount of light described below is allowed, and theXe tube 99 can emit light directly by using the power supply from thebattery.

[0295] In the control for emission of a small amount of light, an OFFsignal is output from the V-SW terminal of the control circuit portion91 (FIG. 28A), and the relay switch 97 is kept in the OFF state. Whenthe release switch of the camera 71 is turned on (FIG. 28G), the triggercapacitor 102 having a much smaller capacity than that of the maincapacitor 98 is charged through the oscillation transformer 95. Then,the V-IG terminal of the control circuit portion 91 is turned on (FIG.28D). When the IGBT 104 is brought to conduction in response to ON ofthe V-IG terminal, the charges stored in the trigger capacitor 102 flowbetween the IGBT 104 and the primary winding of the trigger transformer101. Because of the current fed to the primary winding, energy istransmitted to the secondary winding side. The energy having beentransmitted to the secondary winding side is converted to voltage, andthe voltage is applied to the exterior electrode 99 c of the Xe tube 99.Since the exterior electrode 99 c of the Xe tube 99 has a very highresistance value, high trigger voltage is applied to the exteriorelectrode 99 c.

[0296] The xenon gas in the Xe tube 99 is excited because of theapplication of the trigger voltage, and the insulating resistancedecreases rapidly.

[0297] After the V-IG terminal of the control circuit portion 91 isturned on, ON and OFF signals are output alternately from the ST1terminal and ST2 terminal, and the switching elements 93 and 94 areturned on and off alternately. Because of the ON and OFF, current is fedfrom the battery 92 alternately to the primary winding 95 a and primarywinding 95 b of the oscillation transformer 95. When current flowsthrough the primary windings 95 a and 95 b, energy is transmitted to thesecondary winding 95 c side of the oscillation transformer 95. Then,pulsating discharging voltage is applied to the anode side of the Xetube 99 through the bridge diode 96. Since the Xe tube 99 is exciting asdescribed above, light-emission current I-xe flows therethrough (FIG.28E) and emits light. During the light emission, the shutter of thecamera 71 is open (FIG. 28F).

[0298] When the light emission time of the Xe tube 99 reaches apredetermined time, the outputs of the V-IG terminal, ST1 terminal andST-2 terminal of the control circuit portion 91 are turned off. Thus,the light emission by the Xe tube 99 is terminated (FIGS. 28B to 28E).

[0299] The control for emission of a small amount of light is suitablefor strobe shooting using a small amount of emitted light and having alonger light emitting time. This is because the light emission currentI-ex is a series of small energy occurring in the primary winding 95 aor 95 b of the oscillation transformer 95 in a short cycle where the ST1terminal or ST2 terminal of the control circuit portion 91 is ON.

[0300] Next, strobe light emitting processing to be invoked in theshooting sequence processing in the camera 71 according to thisembodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 29 and 30.

[0301]FIG. 29 is a flowchart for the strobe light-emitting processing.FIG. 30 is a flowchart for charging processing, which is a sub-routineto be invoked during the strobe light emitting processing.

[0302] The strobe light emitting processing in FIG. 29 is performedunder the control of the control circuit portion 91. First of all, at astep S71, an amount of strobe light required for strobe shooting is readand is set in the control circuit portion 91. It is determined at a stepS72 whether the set strobe light amount is equal to or above apredetermined value or not. If the strobe light amount is equal to orabove the predetermined value, the processing goes to a step S73 whereprocessing for emitting a large amount of light is performed. If thestrobe light amount is below the predetermined value, the processinggoes to a step S78 where processing for emitting a small amount of lightis performed.

[0303] At the step S73, the sub-routine, the charging processing, shownin FIG. 30 is invoked. In other words, the relay switch 97 is turned onat a step S91, and the pulse output time for turning on/off the ST1terminal and ST2 terminal of the control circuit portion 91 are set atsteps S92 and S93.

[0304] ON/OFF pulse signals are output from the ST1 terminal and ST2terminal of the control circuit portion 91 at a step S94, and thecharging to the main capacitor 98 is started. When the completion of thecharging is detected at a step S95, the outputs of the ST1 terminal andST2 terminal of the control circuit portion 91 are turned off at a stepS96. Then, the charging is terminated.

[0305] The output signal of the V-SW terminal of the control circuitportion is turned off at a step S97, and the relay switch 27 is turnedoff. Then, this sub-routine ends, and the processing returns to a stepS74 of the light-emitting processing routine.

[0306] At the step S74, the light emitting time for emitting a setamount of light is computed. At a step S75, the output of the V-IGterminal of the control circuit portion 91 is turned on, and the IGBT104 is turned on. At the same time, the relay switch 97 is turned on,and a large amount of the light-emission of the Xe tube 99 is started.While a large amount of light emitting current I-xe is fed to the Xetube 99 as shown in FIG. 27, and a much larger amount of light than thelight emitted in the mode for emitting a small amount of light isemitted.

[0307] After a lapse of the set time for light emission is determined ata step S76, the processing goes to a step S77. At the step S77, theoutput of the V-IG terminal of the control circuit portion 91 is turnedoff, and the IGBT 104 is turned off. Then, the light emission isterminated, and this routine ends.

[0308] On the other hand, when it is determined at a step S72 that theset amount of light is small, the processing jumps to a step S78. At thestep S78, the output signal of the V-SW terminal of the control circuitportion 91 is turned off, and the relay switch 97 is kept in the OFFstate. At a step S79, a light emitting time for emitting the set amountof light is computed. At a step S80, ON/OFF pulses are output from theST1 terminal and ST2 terminal of the control circuit portion 91, and theoscillation transformer 95 becomes active. Furthermore, at a step S81,the V-IG terminal of the control circuit portion 91 is turned on, andthe IGBT 104 is turned on. Thus, the light emission by the Xe tube 99 isstarted. In the light emission state here, a small amount of light iscontinuously emitted as shown in FIG. 28.

[0309] At a step S82, if a lapse of the set time for emitting light isdetected, the processing goes to a step S83. At the step S83, the outputsignals of the ST1 terminal and ST2 terminal of the control circuitportion 91 are turned off, and the oscillation by the oscillationtransformer 95 is terminated. At a step S84, the V-IG terminal of thecontrol circuit portion 91 is turned off, and the IGBT 104 is turnedoff. Then, the light emission is terminated, and this routine ends.

[0310] By using a single Xe tube in the camera 71 containing a strobeapparatus according to the fourth embodiment, the emission of a largeamount of light using a conventional main capacitor for light emissionor the emission of a small amount of light using power supply directlyfrom a battery can be selected in accordance with the amount of requiredlight to be emitted. Thus, the strobe shooting in a wider range can beachieved. Especially, the strobe shooting by using the emission of asmall amount of light is suitable for serial shooting since the time forcharging to a main capacitor is not necessary. Furthermore, sincesnapping only depends on the oscillation of the oscillation transformer,any shutter timing cannot be missed during time for waiting a chargingoperation.

[0311] By using a strobe apparatus of a camera according to the fourthembodiment, a single discharge tube may be applied to implement theemission of a large to small amount of light required for strobeshooting. Therefore, a camera, which can snap well in serial shooting,can be provided.

[0312]FIG. 31 is a show-through perspective diagram showing an internalarrangement of a camera containing a strobe apparatus, which is adischarge light emitting apparatus, according to a fifth embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional diagram of a center part ofthe camera and shows an arrangement of main components within the camerabody. FIG. 33 shows a section diagram of a strobe light emitting unit ofthe strobe apparatus. FIG. 34 is a circuit diagram of a strobe lightemitting circuit in the strobe apparatus.

[0313] As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the camera 201 according to thisembodiment is a compact type camera. Under the exterior (camera bodycover) 202, a lens barrel unit 203 having an optical axis O is provided.Furthermore, a cassette installing chamber 206 and a spool chamber 207are located on both sides of the lens barrel unit 203. A finder unit 204is located above the lens barrel 203, and a strobe light emitting unit205 and a power source battery 211 are located next to the finder unit204.

[0314] The strobe apparatus includes the strobe light emitting unit 205and a strobe light emitting circuit 220 (FIG. 34), which will bedescribed later. The strobe light emitting unit 205 has an Xe tube 215and a reflection umbrella 216 as shown in FIG. 33. The Xe tube 215 is alight emitting discharge tube containing xenon gas.

[0315] The Xe tube 215 has discharge electrodes 215 a and 215 b and aclear exterior electrode 215 c. The discharge electrodes 215 a and 215 bdo not have any polarities. The exterior electrode 215 c is a triggerelectrode and is coated on the exterior of a glass tube so as not toprevent light transmission. As shown in FIG. 33, the dischargeelectrodes 215 a and 215 b are spaced apart by an inter-electrodedistance L2. The inter-electrode distance L2 is set shorter than aninter-electrode distance L1 of an Xe tube to be applied in the strobeapparatus using the conventional light emission capacitor. This isbecause the discharge application voltage for the light emission by theXe tube 215 is lower than the discharge application voltage for thelight emission by the conventional Xe tube. Therefore, the strobe lightemitting unit 205 takes up less space within the camera 201.

[0316] As shown in FIG. 34, the strobe light emitting circuit 220 has acontrol circuit portion (such as a CPU) 210, a battery 211, a step-uposcillation transformer 214, a first switching element 212 and a secondswitching element 213. The control circuit portion 210 is a control unitfor controlling strobe light emission. The battery 211 is a power sourcefor driving a camera. The step-up oscillation transformer 214 is usedfor applying high voltage to the Xe tube 215. The first switchingelements 212 and second switching element 213 are two MOS-FET.

[0317] The control circuit portion 210 is responsible for strobe lightemission control and for control relating to shooting by the camera 201.

[0318] The oscillation transformer 214 mainly includes an iron core 214e, two primary windings 214 a and 214 b wounded about the iron core 214e and connected in series to each other, a first secondary winding 214 cand a second secondary winding 214 d. The first and second secondarywindings 214 c and 214 d are wound about the iron core 214. The secondsecondary winding 214 d is a high-voltage applying unit.

[0319] One common end of the primary windings 214 a and 214 b isconnected to the battery 211 in parallel. The other ends are connectedto the source side of the switching elements 212 and 213.

[0320] One end of the first secondary winding 214 c is an output endcommon to the second secondary winding 214 d and is connected to onedischarge electrode 215 a of the Xe tube 215. The other output end ofthe first secondary winding 214 c is connected to the other dischargeelectrode 215 b of the Xe tube 215. Discharge voltage (light emittingvoltage) for feeding light emitting current I-xe is applied between thecommon terminal and the other output end of the first secondary winding.The output terminal side of the second secondary winding 214 d isconnected to the exterior electrode 215 c, which is a trigger electrodeof the Xe tube 215. Trigger voltage V-tr is high voltage for excitationand is applied between the other output end of the second secondarywinding 214 d and the common terminal.

[0321] The control circuit portion 210 includes an ST1 terminal, an ST2terminal and a VB detecting terminal for power source voltage detection.The ST1 terminal and ST2 terminal are connected to the gates of theswitching elements 212 and 213 for switching-driving the switchingelements 212 and 213 alternately. The VB detecting terminal is connectedto the battery connecting end of the primary windings 214 a and 214 b.

[0322] Next, a control operation for strobe light emission in a strobeapparatus of a camera according to this embodiment having theabove-described construction will be described with reference to FIGS.34 and 35A to 35H.

[0323]FIGS. 35A to 35H are time charts for signal waveforms in thestrobe apparatus.

[0324] When strobe shooting is performed by using the camera 201according to this embodiment, ON and OFF signals are alternately output(FIGS. 35A and 35B) as pulse signals from the ST1 and ST2 terminals ofthe control circuit portion 210 for performing oscillation for triggerapplication based on the ON signal at the release switching (FIG. 35H).Then, current is alternately fed to the primary windings 214 a and 214 bof the oscillation transformer 214 through the switching elements 212and 213. In other words, when an ON signal is output from the ST1terminal of the control circuit portion 210, the switching element 212is turned on. Thus, current is fed from the battery 211 to the primarywinding 214 a of the oscillation transformer 214. Energy from thecurrent to the primary winding 214 a is transmitted to the secondarywindings 214 c and 214 d side. Here, since the Xe tube 215 has notemitted light yet, the inter-electrode resistance value is infinite.Thus, the output sides of the secondary windings 214 c and 214 d have ahigh impedance. Therefore, high voltage in the opposite directionagainst the current direction of the primary winding 214 a occurs in thesecondary winding 214 d. The high voltage is applied to the externalelectrode 215 c of the Xe tube 215 as the trigger voltage V-tr (FIG.35C).

[0325] Subsequently, an OFF signal is output from the ST1 terminal whilean ON signal is output from the ST2 terminal at the same time. Becauseof the OFF and ON signals, the switching element 212 is turned off whilethe switching element 213 is turned on. Thus, current can flow throughthe primary winding 214 b. The current to flow through the primarywinding 214 b flows in the opposite direction of the current flowing theprimary winding 214 a. Thus, the direction of the current flowingthrough the secondary windings 214 c and 214 d are switched to theopposite direction, and the direction of the occurring energy isswitched to the opposite direction. As a result, the trigger voltageV-tr to be applied to the external electrode 215 c of the Xe tube 215has the opposite sign of the one for turning on the ST1 terminal at theoutput terminal of the secondary winding 214 d.

[0326] As described above, the ST1 and ST2 terminals of the controlcircuit portion 210 are alternately turned on and off, and when thetrigger voltage V-tr is applied to the Xe tube 215, xenon gas within theXe tube 215 is excited. Then, the resistance between the dischargingelectrodes 215 a and 215 b is reduced, and current I-xe tries to flowinto the Xe tube 215. In this case, since the output signals of the ST1and ST2 terminals of the control circuit portion 210 are repeatedly andalternately turned on and off, the direction of the light emittingcurrent I-xe flowing between the discharging electrodes 215 a and 215 bof the Xe tube 215 changes in accordance with the ON and OFF (FIG. 35D).When the light emitting current I-xe can flow, high voltage does notoccur in the external electrode 215 c of the Xe tube 215.

[0327] When the current I-xe flows through the Xe tube 215 in this way,the Xe tube 215 emits light (FIG. 35F). When the current I-xe flows, theimpedance in the secondary windings 214 c and 214 d of the oscillationtransformer 214 decreases. Therefore, the current flowing through theprimary windings 214 a and 214 b increases. With the increase in currentflowing through the primary windings 214 a and 214 b, the power sourcevoltage of the battery 211 decreases. The decrease in power sourcevoltage is monitored through the VB detecting terminal for the powersource voltage of the control circuit portion 210 such that the start oflight emission can be recognized (FIG. 35E).

[0328] After the start of the light emission by the Xe tube 215 isdetected, the ON/OFF cycles of the ST1 and ST2 terminals are set atproper values, such as values for shorter cycles, suitable for theadjustment of a light amount in the control circuit portion 210. Sincethe light emitting current I-xe repeatedly flows as shown in FIG. 35D,the xe tube 215 has a so-called flat light-emitting state where apredetermined amount of light is continuously emitted multiple times.

[0329] After the start of the light emission by the Xe tube 215, the STand ST2 terminals of the control circuit portion 210 are turned off inaccordance with the instruction for the termination of the lightemission from the camera control portion. Thus, the light emission bythe Xe tube 215 is terminated. At the same time, the shutter of thecamera is closed.

[0330] Next, a shooting sequence including strobe shooting in the camera201 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to aflowchart for shooting processing in FIG. 36.

[0331] The shooting processing in the camera 201 as shown in FIG. 36 isperformed under the control of the control circuit portion 210. First ofall, when ON of the release switch is detected at a step S101, theprocessing goes to a step S102 where it is determined based on lightmeasurement data of an object whether strobe light emission is requiredduring the exposure or not. If it is determined that the strobe lightemission is not required, the processing jumps to the step S103. If itis determined that the strobe light emission is required, the processinggoes to a step S106.

[0332] At the step S103, the shutter is opened, and a lapse of apredetermined exposure time is waited without strobe light emission at astep S104. Then, the shutter is closed at a step S105, and this routineends.

[0333] At the step S106, the ON times of the ST1 and ST2 terminals ofthe control circuit portion 210 is set as a trigger oscillation cycle.At a step S107, the ST1 and ST2 terminals are turned on and off in thecycle of the set time. Thus, current is fed to the primary windings 214a and 214 b alternately, and the trigger oscillation is started. Then,trigger voltage V-tr is applied to the external electrode of the Xe tube215 through the second secondary winding 214 d. At a step S108, theshutter is opened.

[0334] At a step S109, the power source voltage of the VB detectingterminal of the control circuit portion 210 is checked. If a fact thatthe voltage of the VB terminal decreases to or below a predeterminedvalue is detected, light emitting current I-xe is fed to the Xe tube 215through the primary windings 214 a and 214 b. Thus, it is determinedthat the Xe tube 215 has started light emission, and the processing goesto a step S111.

[0335] At the step S111, the ON times of the ST1 and ST2 terminals ofthe control circuit portion 210 are set as an oscillation cycle forlight emission. At a step S112, the primary windings 214 a and 214 b areturned on and off in the oscillation cycle for light emission set at thestep S111, and the light emission by the Xe tube 215 is implemented.

[0336] At a step S113, the measurement of the light emitting time isstarted. At a step S114, if it is detected that the light emitting timereaches a predetermined time set in the control circuit portion 210 andthe exposure ends. The processing goes to a step S115. At the step S115,the ST1 and ST2 terminals of the control circuit portion 210 are turnedoff, and the light emission of the Xe tube 215 is terminated. At a stepS116, the shutter is closed, and this routine ends.

[0337] In a strobe apparatus contained in the camera 201 according tothis embodiment, a light emission capacitor is not required for storingcharges for light emission, which has been applied in a conventionalstrobe apparatus. Therefore, the storage space is not necessary.Furthermore, a trigger transformer and/or trigger capacitor are notnecessary. Therefore, the size of the camera can be reduced, and theconstruction of the strobe apparatus can be simplified, which alsosimplifies the assembly.

[0338] Since the capacitor for light emission is not required, chargingtime, which is usually long, is not required. Thus, any shutter chancecannot be missed due to the time for waiting the charging operation. Theperiod for applying the trigger voltage V-tr to the external electrode215 c of the Xe tube 215 through the second secondary winding 214 d isvery short. Therefore, shutter chances may not be missed.

[0339] Continuous light emission can be achieved because the lightemission state of the Xe tube 215 is controlled by repeating ON and OFFof the ST1 and ST2 terminals of the control circuit portion 210. Thus, aproper amount of light can be emitted.

[0340] As described above, by using a discharge light emitting apparatusaccording to the fifth embodiment of the invention, the energy of thepower source can be directly used by the discharge tube to emit light.Therefore, a capacitor for storing charges is not required, and the timefor charging to the capacitor for storing charges is not necessary. As aresult, the light emission can be started fast.

[0341] Next, a camera having a strobe apparatus according to a sixthembodiment of the invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 37to 39.

[0342]FIG. 37 is an exterior perspective diagram of the camera having astrobe apparatus according to the sixth embodiment, which is viewed fromthe upper right side. FIG. 38 is a section diagram taken at the lineII-II in FIG. 37. FIG. 39 is a show-through perspective diagramschematically showing an internal construction of the camera in FIG. 37.

[0343] As shown in FIG. 37, a lens barrel 308 is located at the centerof the front surface of an external cabinet 301 forming the camera body.The lens barrel 308 has a shooting optical system for shooting anobject. A finder window 304 is located above the lens barrel 308. Thefinder window 304 is used for optically observing an object.Furthermore, a strobe light emission window 303 is provided at the upperright of the lens barrel 308. The strobe light emission window 303 isused for irradiating strobe light to an object.

[0344] A release button 305 is located on the left side of the uppersurface of the camera exterior cabinet 301. Furthermore, a zoom-button306 is located on the left side of the back surface of the cameraexterior cabinet 301. The zoom button 306 is used by a shooting personfor shooting in order to drive the lens barrel 308 for setting anarbitrary magnification for shooting an object.

[0345] In the sixth embodiment, the longitudinal length of the cameraexterior cabinet 301 is “1”.

[0346] As shown in FIG. 38, the lens barrel 308 is held at the center ofthe camera exterior cabinet 301 movably in an optical axis direction O.A file cassette chamber 309 is provided on the left. A file spoolchamber 307 for winding the film is provided on the right of the lensbarrel 308. Furthermore, a focal plane shutter 310 is provided on theback surface of the lens barrel 308. A main capacitor 317 for strobe isprovided on the left of the film cassette chamber 309.

[0347] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 39, a finder optical system 304 ais provided above the lens barrel 308. The finder optical system 304 aincludes a finder window 304. A strobe light emitting portion 303 a isprovided on the right of the finder optical system 304 a and at theupper right of the front surface of the camera exterior cabinet 301. Thestrobe light emitting portion 303 a includes the strobe light emittingwindow 303. Furthermore, a battery 311 is provided on the back surfaceof the strobe light emitting portion 303 a. The battery 311 suppliespower source to the entire driving device for the camera.

[0348] The strobe light emitting portion 303 a includes, as shown inFIG. 40, a reflection umbrella 315, a light emission discharge tube(called Xe tube herein after) 312, an electrode tube 313 for the Xetube, and a trigger electrode on the exterior of the Xe tube 312. Thereflection umbrella 315 reflects the light emitted by the Xe tube 312toward a predetermined irradiating range. The Xe tube 312 starts lightemission in response to a control signal from a control circuit 430 (seeFIG. 41), which will be mentioned later. In the sixth embodiment, thelongitudinal length of the Xe tube is “m”.

[0349]FIG. 41 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit for the strobe apparatus. FIGS. 42A to 42E are time chartsshowing outputs of components for an operation for charging to a maincapacitor of the light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 41. FIG. 43 is aflowchart describing a light emitting operation in order to emitauxiliary light for AD distance measurement by using the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 41. FIGS. 44A to 44G are time charts showingoutputs of components for a light emitting operation in FIG. 43. FIG. 45is a flowchart describing a light emitting operation in order to emitlight for red-eye reduction by using the light emitting circuit shown inFIG. 41. FIGS. 46A to 46F are time charts showing outputs of componentsof the light emitting operation in FIG. 45. FIGS. 47A to 47G are timecharts showing outputs of components for a light emitting operation forshooting by the light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 41.

[0350] The light emitting circuit of the strobe apparatus according tothe sixth embodiment has a first light emitting portion and a secondlight emitting portion. The first light emitting portion causes the Xetube 312 to emit light by using charges (energy) stored in a maincapacitor 317, which will be described later. The second light emittingportion supplies power of the power source battery 311 from anoscillation transformer 448, which will be described later, directly tothe Xe tube 312 for emitting light. The light emitting circuit has, asshown in FIG. 41, the power source battery 311, a control circuit 430,switching elements 400 and 445 for charging, the oscillation transformer448, a bridge diode 444, a relay switch 446 for light-emissionswitching, a resistance 410, a light-emission switching element 420, atrigger capacitor 490, a trigger coil 480, a strobe main capacitor 317,and the Xe tube 312. The control circuit 430 has output terminals 440,450, 460 and 470 and functions as a control portion for light emission.The oscillation transformer 448 includes a first primary winding 441, asecond primary winding 442, and a secondary winding 443. The triggercoil 480 includes a primary winding 481 and a secondary winding 482. Aclear electrode (trigger electrode) 401 is coated on the surface of theXe tube 312.

[0351] A serial connecting circuit of the first primary winding 441 ofthe oscillation transformer 448 and the switching element 400 forcharging and a serial connecting circuit of the second primary winding442 of the oscillation transformer 448 and the switching element 445 forcharging are connected to the power source battery 311 in parallel.

[0352] The gate terminal of the switching element 400 for charging isconnected to the output terminal 450 of the control circuit 430. Thegate terminal of the switching element 445 is connected to the outputterminal 440 of the control circuit 430. Both ends of the secondarywinding 443 of the oscillation transformer 448 are connected to theinput end of the bridge diode 444.

[0353] A serial connecting circuit of the relay switch 446 forlight-emission switching and the strobe main capacitor 317, a serialconnecting circuit of the Xe tube 312 and the switching element 420 forlight emission and a serial circuit of the resistance 410, the triggercapacitor 490 and the primary winding 481 of the trigger coil 480 areconnected to the output terminal of the bridge diode 444 in parallel.

[0354] The control terminal of the relay switch 446 for light-emissionswitching is connected to the output terminal 460 of the control circuit430. The gate terminal of the switching element 420 for light emissionis connected to the output terminal 470 of the control circuit 430.Furthermore, the connecting point of the resistance 410 and the triggercapacitor 490 is connected to the connecting point of the Xe tube 312and the switching element 420 for light emission.

[0355] Next, an operation for charging to the main capacitor of thestrobe light emitting circuit having the above-described constructionwill be described with reference to time charts in FIGS. 41 and 42A to42E.

[0356] When an ON signal, “H” is output from the output terminal 460 ofthe control circuit 430 in an initial state (FIG. 42B), the relay switch446 for light-emission switching is closed. Thus, the charging to themain capacitor 317 can be performed.

[0357] Next, when an ON signal, “H” is output from the output terminal450 of the control circuit 430 (FIG. 42C), current is fed from the powersource battery 311 to the first primary winding 441 of the oscillationtransformer 448 and the switching element 400 for charging.

[0358] When current flows through the first primary winding 441,electric energy occurs in the primary winding. The electric energy istransmitted to the secondary winding 443 of the oscillation transformer448 because of an electromagnetic induction effect. The magnetic energyis converted to electric energy in the secondary winding 443, andcurrent is fed to the secondary winding 443. The current is converted todirect current by the bridge diode 444 and is stored in the maincapacitor 317 and the trigger capacitor 490 as charges.

[0359] When the discharging of the energy generated by the first primarywinding 441 ends, the ON signal from the output terminal 450 of thecontrol circuit 430 is turned off (FIG. 42C), and, at the same time, anON signal is output from the output terminal 440 of the control circuit430 (42D).

[0360] When an ON signal “H” is output from the output terminal 440,current is fed from the battery 311 to the second primary winding 442 ofthe oscillation transformer 448 and the switching element 445 forcharging.

[0361] When current flows through the second primary winding 442,electric energy occurs in the primary winding. The electric energy istransmitted to the secondary winding 443 of the oscillation transformer448 because of an electromagnetic induction effect. The magnetic energyis converted to electric energy in the secondary winding 443, andcurrent is fed to the secondary winding 443. The current is stored bythe bridge diode 444 in the main capacitor 317 and the trigger capacitor490 as charges.

[0362] As described above, by alternately turning on and off the outputterminals 450 and 440 of the control circuit 430 (FIGS. 42C and 42D),the switching elements 400 and 445 for charging are alternately turnedon and off, and charges are stored in and are charged to the maincapacitor 317 and the trigger capacitor 490. Then, when the chargingvoltage (V) of the main capacitor 317 reaches a predetermined voltage(Va) (FIG. 42E), the output from the control circuit 430 is terminated.After that, an OFF signal “L” is output from the output terminal 460 ofthe control circuit 430 (FIG. 42B), and the relay-switch 446 forlight-emission switching is opened. Then, the charging operation ends.The output terminal 470 of the control circuit 430 here is off duringthe charging period (FIG. 42A).

[0363] Next, an operation for emitting auxiliary light for AF distancemeasurement to be performed by using the strobe light emitting circuitaccording to the invention will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 41, 43 and 44A to 44G. After the completion of the chargingdescribed with reference to FIG. 42, the first release switch is turnedon (FIG. 44A) in response to the pressing of the release button 305 inFIG. 37 at a step S201 as shown in FIG. 43. Then, at a step S202, lightmeasurement and distance measurement operations are performed, and theprocessing goes to a step S203.

[0364] At the step S203, it is determined whether an object has a lowerintensity or not based on the results of the light measurement anddistance measurement at the step S202. If the object has a lowerintensity, the processing goes to a step S204. If the object does nothave a lower intensity, the emission of the auxiliary light for AFdistance measurement is not required. Then, the processing jumps to astep S214 and returns.

[0365] If it is determined at the step S203 that the object has a lowerintensity, an ON signal is output (FIG. 44E) from the output terminal470 by keeping the output terminal 460 of the control circuit 430 off(FIG. 44B) at a step S204. In response to the ON signal, the switchingelement 420 for light emission is turned on, and the processing goes toa step S205. When the switching element 420 for light emission is turnedon, the charges stored in the trigger capacitor 490 are fed to theswitching element 420 for light emission and the primary winding 481 ofthe trigger coil 480.

[0366] When current is fed to the primary winding 481 of the triggercoil 480, the current is induced to the secondary winding 482 because ofan electromagnetic induction effect. The secondary winding 482 isconnected to the trigger electrode 401 on the exterior of the Xe tube312. Since the Xe tube 312 has a very high resistance value, the energyinduced in the secondary winding 482 of the trigger coil 480 isconverted to voltage. Thus, high voltage is applied to the triggerelectrode 401 on the exterior of the Xe tube 312. When high voltage isapplied to the trigger electrode of the Xe tube 312, xenon gas withinthe Xe tube is excited, and the insulating resistance is reduced.

[0367] At the step S205 following the step S204, the number of times oflight emission is set (initially set to twice), and the processing goesto a step S206 where a distance measuring operation is started. In thisdistance measuring operation, an ON signal is output (FIG. 44C) from theoutput terminal 450 of the control circuit 430 at the next step 207.Thus, energy occurs in the first primary winding 441 of the oscillationtransformer 448 as described above. Then, the energy is transmitted tothe secondary winding 443, and current I-xe (FIG. 44G) is fed to the Xetube 312 through the bridge diode 444. When current is fed to the Xetube 312, the Xe tube 312 performs a first series of multiple times oflight emission.

[0368] Here, since a small amount of energy occurs in the first primarywinding 441 of the oscillation transformer 448, the time foremitting-light by the Xe tube 312 is short (FIGS. 44C and 44G).

[0369] Then, when the output terminal 450 of the control circuit 430 isturned off at the next step S208, an ON signal is output from the outputterminal 440 (FIGS. 44C and D). Thus, energy occurs in the secondprimary winding 442 of the oscillation transformer 448, and the energyis transmitted to the secondary winding 443. Then, current I-xe is fedto the Xe tube 312 through the bridge diode 444 (FIG. 44G). When currentis fed to the Xe tube 312, the Xe tube 312 performs a second series ofmultiple times of light emission.

[0370] In this way, two series of light emission are performed fordistance measurement, which is set at the step S205, and the AF distancemeasurement is performed (FIG. 44F). Then, the processing goes to a stepS209. Here, the amount of light emitted through two series of lightemission is η1.

[0371] At the step S209, it is determined whether light emission isperformed the number of times set at the step S205. If not, theprocessing returns to the step S207. If so, the processing goes to astep S210 where the output terminals 450 and 440 of he control circuitare turned off. Then, the distance measuring operation is terminated.Furthermore, the switching element 420 for light emission is turned off,and the light emission is terminated (FIGS. 44C, 44D, 44E, 44F and 44G).Then, the processing goes to a step S211, and the computing for thedistance measurement is performed. Then, the processing goes to a stepS212.

[0372] At the step S212, it is determined whether or not the distancemeasurement has completed normally with the number of times of lightemission set at the step S205. If the distance measurement has completednormally with two series of the multiple times of light emissioninitially set at the step S205, the processing goes to a step S214 andreturns. If the distance measurement has not completed normally with twoseries of multiple times of light emission, the processing branches off.At a step S213, for example, the number of series of the multiple timesof light emission is increased to four. Then, the processing returns toa step S206 where a distance measuring operation is performed again.

[0373] In this way, the output terminals 450 and 440 of the controlcircuit 430 are alternately turned on and off until the distancemeasurement has completed normally by increasing the number of series ofmultiple times of light emission, such as four, six, and eight times.Thus, the first primary winding 441 and second primary winding 442 ofthe oscillation transformer 448 alternately occur energy (FIGS. 44C and44D). Then, current I-xe is fed to the Xe tube 312 the increased numberof series of multiple times of light emission (FIG. 44G), and theoperation for emitting light is repeated at the steps S206 to S212. Atthe step S212, if it is determined that the distance measurement hascompleted normally from the increased number of series of multiple timesof light emission, the processing goes to a step S214 and returns.

[0374] The output terminal 460 is kept off during the operation foremitting auxiliary light for distance measurement (FIG. 44B).

[0375] Next, a pre-light-emitting operation for red-eye reduction byusing the strobe light emitting circuit will be described in detail withreference to FIGS. 41, 45 and 46A to 46F.

[0376] After the completion of the charging as described in FIG. 42, theoutput terminal 460 is turned off (FIG. 46A) at a step S220 as shown inFIG. 45. Then, the relay switch 446 for light emission switching isturned off. Then, the processing goes to a step S221 where it isdetermined whether the light emission is pre-light-emission for red eyereduction or not.

[0377] If it is determined at the step S221 that it is notpre-light-emission for red eye reduction, the processing goes to a stepS222. At the step S222, a time for emitting AF auxiliary light for thesame distance measurement as the operation described with reference toFIGS. 43 and 44A to 44G is read. Then, the processing goes to'a stepS224. In the routine as described in the flowchart in FIG. 43, thenumber of times for emitting AF auxiliary light is used for control. Onthe other hand, in the routine as described in the flowchart in FIG. 45,the light emitting time is used for control.

[0378] On the other hand, if it is the pre-light-emission for red-eyereduction, the processing branches off. Then, at a step S223, the timefor emitting light is set to zero to one second, and the processing goesto a step S224.

[0379] At the step S224, the output terminal 450 of the control circuit430 is set to be turned on for the light emitting time set at the stepS222 or S223, and the processing goes to a step S225. At the step S225,the output terminal 440 of the control circuit 430 is set to be turnedon for the light emitting time set at the step S222 or S223, and theprocessing goes to a step S226.

[0380] At the step S226, an ON signal is output from the output terminal470 (FIG. 46D) by keeping the output terminal 460 of the control circuit430 off (FIG. 46A). The switching element 420 for light emission isturned on in response to the ON signal, and charges stored in thetrigger capacitor 490 are fed to the switching element 420 and theprimary winding 481 of the trigger coil 480.

[0381] When current is fed to the primary winding 481 of the triggercoil 480, electric energy occurs in the primary winding 481. Theelectric energy is transmitted to the secondary winding 482 because ofan electromagnetic induction effect, and current is fed to the secondarywinding 482. The secondary winding 482 is connected to the triggerelectrode 401 on the exterior of the Xe tube 312, and the Xe tube 312has a very high resistance value. Therefore, the electric energy havingbeen transmitted to the secondary winding 482 of the trigger coil 480 isconverted to voltage, and high voltage is applied to the triggerelectrode 401 of the Xe tube 312. When high voltage is applied to thetrigger electrode 401 of the Xe tube 312, xenon gas within the Xe tubeis excited. As a result, the insulating resistance is reduced.

[0382] At the next step S227, ON signals are alternately output from theoutput terminals 450 and 440 of the control circuit 430 for the time setat the steps S224 and S225 (FIGS. 46B and 46C). Then, as describedabove, energy occurs in the first primary winding 441 of the oscillationtransformer 448. Thus, energy is induced in the secondary winding 443,and current I-xe is fed to the Xe tube 312 through the bridge diode 444(FIG. 46E). When current is fed to the Xe tube 312, the Xe tube 312performs pre-light-emission multiple times for red-eye reduction. Here,an amount of the emitted light is η2.

[0383] In this way, the pre-light-emission for red-eye reduction isperformed for a time set at the step S223, and the processing then goesto a step S228.

[0384] At the step S228, it is determined whether the light emittingtime set at the step S223 has passed or not. If not, the light emissionis performed until the light emitting time has passed. If so, theprocessing goes to a step S229 where the output terminals 450 and 440 ofthe control circuit are turned off (FIGS. 46B and 46C), and theoscillation is terminated. At a step S230, the output terminal 470 ofthe control circuit 430 is turned off (FIG. 46D), and the switchingelement 420 for light emission is turned off. Then, the light emissionis terminated (FIG. 46E), and the processing then returns.

[0385] After that, the relay switch 446 for switching light emission isturned on, and the actual light emission is performed while the focalplane shutter is open (FIG. 46F).

[0386] Next, an operation for the actual light emission will bedescribed with reference to time charts in FIGS. 41 and 47. In thiscase, the operation is for emitting a large amount of light by using themain capacitor of the strobe light emitting circuit.

[0387] After the completion of the charging as described with referenceto FIG. 42, a release signal is input to a CPU, not shown, (FIG. 47A)through a manipulation for pressing the release button 5 in FIG. 37.Then, an ON signal is output from the output terminal 460 of the controlcircuit 430 (FIG. 47B), and the relay switch 446 for switching lightemission is turned on. Thus, the main capacitor 317 and the Xe tube 312can be conducted.

[0388] When an ON signal is output from the output terminal 470 underthis condition (FIG. 47E), the switching element 420 for light emissionis turned on in response to the ON signal. Then, charges stored in thetrigger capacitor 490 are fed to the switching element 420 for lightemission and the primary winding 481 of the trigger coil 480.

[0389] When current is fed to the primary winding 481 of the triggercoil 480, electric energy of the primary winding 481 is transmitted tothe secondary winding 482 of the trigger coil 480. Then, the secondarywinding 482 is connected to the trigger electrode 401 on the exterior ofthe Xe tube 312, and the Xe tube 312 has a very high resistance value.Therefore, the electric energy having been transmitted to the secondarywinding 482 of the trigger coil 480 is converted to voltage. As aresult, high voltage is applied to the trigger electrode 401 on theexterior of the Xe tube 312.

[0390] When high voltage is applied to the trigger electrode 401 on theexterior of the Xe tube 312, xenon gas within the Xe tube is excited,and the insulating resistance is reduced. Then, charges stored in themain capacitor 317 fed to the Xe tube 312 through the switching element420 for light emission as current I-xe (FIG. 47F). When current is fedto the Xe tube 312, the Xe tube 312 emits light.

[0391] In this way, a large amount of light can be emitted from the Xetube 312 from the time when the focal plane shutter is opened until thefocal place shutter is shut-off (FIG. 47G).

[0392] In the emission of a large amount of light, charges having beenstored in the main capacitor 317 are discharged. Thus, the amount η′ oflight (where η′ is the large amount of light to be emitted) is muchlarger than the amounts η1 and η2 of light (FIGS. 44G and 46E) forpre-light-emission by using the power source battery 311 and oscillationtransformer 448.

[0393] When the actual light emission has been performed for apredetermined period of time, the output terminal 470 of the controlcircuit 430 is turned off. Thus, the light emission is terminated (FIG.47E). The output terminals 450 and 440 of the control circuit 430 arekept off during the light emission (FIGS. 47C and 47D).

[0394] As described above, in the strobe apparatus according to thesixth embodiment of the invention, output voltage of the oscillationtransformer for stepping up the voltage of the power source battery 311without using the main capacitor 317 is used in order to emit auxiliarylight for AF distance measurement or light for red-eye reduction byswitching on/off the relay switch 446 for switching light emission. Forperforming actual light emission in shooting, the main capacitor 317 maybe selected to use. Thus, even after the emission of the auxiliary lightfor AF or light for red-eye reduction is performed before the actuallight emission, the charges in the main capacitor do not decrease. Thus,a large amount of light can be emitted, and the time required for the AFmeasurement operation can be reduced.

[0395]FIG. 48 is an exterior perspective diagram of a camera having astrobe apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the invention,which is viewed diagonally from the upper right side. FIG. 49 is asection diagram taken at the line III-III in FIG. 48. FIG. 50 is ashow-through perspective diagram schematically showing an internalconstruction of the camera shown in FIG. 48.

[0396] In the camera according to the seventh embodiment, the cameraexternal cabinet and the internal construction of the camera areschematically and substantially the same as those of the cameraaccording to the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 37 to 40. The seventhembodiment is different from the sixth embodiment in that the maincapacitor for strobe is removed from the construction within the cameraexterior cabinet and a strobe circuit for directly supplying energy tobe supplied to an Xe tube from an oscillation transformer for steppingup voltage of a power source battery. Therefore, only the differenceswill be described. The same reference numerals are given to the samecomponents as those of the sixth embodiment, and the description will beomitted.

[0397] As shown in FIG. 48, by removing the main capacitor for strobefrom the construction within the camera exterior cabinet 301, thelongitudinal length of the camera exterior cabinet 301 is “1” and isshorter than the longitudinal length “1” of the camera exterior cabinet301 according to the sixth embodiment. Therefore, the size of the cameraexterior cabinet can be reduced.

[0398]FIG. 51 is a section diagram showing a construction of a strobelight emitting portion 303 a in FIG. 50. When the main capacitor forstrobe is removed therefrom, the longitudinal length of the Xe tube 312Ais determined as “m′” in accordance with the amount of emitted light andis shorter than the longitudinal length “m” of the Xe tube 312 shown inFIG. 39. Thus, the longitudinal length of the strobe light emittingportion 303 a is reduced.

[0399]FIG. 52 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit for a strobe apparatus according to the seventh embodiment ofthe invention. FIGS. 53A to 53F are time charts of operations ofcomponents of the light emitting circuit, which is described for a lightemitting operation for emitting auxiliary light for AF distancemeasurement or light for red-eye reduction by using the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 52.

[0400] As shown in FIG. 52, the light emitting circuit includes acontrol circuit 530, switching elements 540 and 550 having an FET, anoscillation transformer 560, and the Xe tube 312A. The control circuit530 has a power source battery 311, an ST1 terminal and ST2 terminal foroutputs for switching, and a VB measuring terminal for power sourcevoltage and functions as a control portion for light emission. Theoscillation transformer 560 includes a first primary winding 561, asecond primary winding 562, a first secondary winding 563, a secondsecondary winding 564. The number of times of winding in the firstsecondary winding 563 is more than the number of winds of the primarywindings 561 and 562. The number of times of winding in the secondsecondary winding 564 is more than the numbers of winds of the primarywindings 561 and 562 and the number of winding of the first secondarywinding 563 and functions as a trigger coil. For easier light emission,a transparent electrode (trigger electrode) 571 is coated on the surfaceof the Xe tube 312A.

[0401] A serial connecting circuit of the first primary winding 561 andthe switching element 540 and a serial connecting circuit of the secondprimary winding 562 and the switching element 550 are connected to thepower source battery 311 in parallel.

[0402] The Xe tube 312A containing Xe gas is connected to both ends ofthe first-secondary winding 563 in parallel. Furthermore, the outputterminal of the second secondary winding 564 is connected to the triggerelectrode 571 on the exterior of the Xe tube 312A.

[0403] The ST1 output terminal of the control circuit 530 is connectedto the gate terminal of the switching element 540 while the ST2 outputterminal is connected to the gate terminal of the switching element 550.

[0404] Next, an operation for emitting auxiliary light for AF distancemeasurement and light for red-eye reduction by the strobe light emittingcircuit having the above-described construction will be described withreference to the time charts in FIGS. 53A to 53F.

[0405] First of all, when a release signal is input to a CPU, not shown,in response to a manipulation for pressing the release button 305 inFIG. 48, the camera enters into the shooting mode (FIG. 53A). Then, anON signal “H” (HIGH) is output from the ST1 output terminal of thecontrol circuit 530 shown in FIG. 52 (FIG. 53B), the switching element540 is brought into conduction. Then, current from the power sourcebattery 311 is fed to the switching element 540 through the firstprimary winding 561.

[0406] When current is fed to the primary winding of the transformer560, electric energy occurs in the primary winding. Then, the electricenergy is transmitted to the secondary winding 563 because of anelectromagnetic induction effect.

[0407] The magnetic energy having been transmitted to the secondarywinding 563 is converted to electric energy, and current is fed from thesecondary winding 563 to the second secondary winding 564. Here, thevoltage of the lower end 563 a (in FIG. 52) of the first secondarywinding 563 is the lowest while the upper end 564 b (in FIG. 52) of thesecond secondary winding 564 is the highest. Under this condition,current is not fed to the Xe tube 312A. Thus, the resistance valuebecomes infinite, and the output side of the secondary winding 563 has ahigh impedance.

[0408] Furthermore, under this condition, electric energy occurs in thesecondary winding side in the opposite direction of the current havingbeen fed to the primary winding 561. Then, the electric energy isconverted to voltage. Therefore, high voltage occurs in the upper end563 b (in FIG. 52) of the first secondary winding. Furthermore, highervoltage than the voltage occurring in the upper end 563 b of the firstsecondary winding occurs in the upper end 564 b (in FIG. 52) of thesecond secondary winding. Therefore, high voltage is applied to thetrigger electrode 571 on the exterior of the Xe tube 312A, and the Xetube 312A is excited (FIG. 53D)

[0409] Here, since Xe tube 312A is not excited only through theswitching element 540, an OFF signal “L” (LOW) is output (FIG. 53B) fromthe ST1 output terminal. At the same time an ON signal “H” is output tothe ST2 output terminal (FIG. 53C). Then, the current flowing throughthe switching element 540 and first primary winding 561 is turned off.Then, the switching element 550 is brought into conduction. Therefore,current from the battery 311 is fed to the switching element 550 throughthe second primary winding 562.

[0410] When current is fed to the primary winding 562, electric energyoccurs in the primary winding. The electric energy is transmitted to thesecondary winding 564 because of an electromagnetic induction effect.

[0411] The magnetic energy having been transmitted to the secondarywinding 564 is converted to electric energy, and current is fed from thesecondary winding 564 to the first secondary winding 563. Here, thecurrent flows through the second primary winding 562 in the directionopposite to the direction of current being fed to the first primarywinding 561. Therefore, the energy occurs in the secondary windings 563and 564 in the direction opposite to the energy caused when the ONsignal is output from the ST1 output terminal. Then, high voltage havingthe sign opposite to the energy caused when the ON signal is output fromthe ST1 output terminal is applied to the trigger electrode 571 on theexterior of the Xe tube 312A (FIG. 53D).

[0412] In this way, by outputting an ON signal “H” alternately from theST1 and ST2 output terminals of the control circuit 530 an arbitrarynumber of times (FIGS. 53B and 53C), Xe gas in the Xe tube 312A isexcited. Then, the resistance value decreases. When the resistance valuedecreases, the resistance values of both ends of the first secondarywinding 563 decrease. Thus, current I-xe (FIG. 53E) is attempted to feedto the Xe tube 312A. In this way, since the ST1 and ST2 output terminalsof the control circuit 530 repeatedly and alternately output ON and OFFsignals, the direction of the current I-xe flowing through the Xe tube312A is inverted every output of the ON/OFF signal from the outputterminals (FIG. 53E).

[0413] As the resistance value of the Xe tube 312A decreases, thecurrent I-xe is fed from both ends of the first secondary winding 563,and the Xe tube 312A emits light. When the Xe tube 312A emits light, theimpedance in the secondary winding side of the transformer 560decreases. Therefore, a rapidly increased amount of current is fed tothe primary winding side of the transformer 560. Therefore, when currentin the primary winding increases, the voltage of the power sourcebattery 311 changes. The VB measuring terminal of the control circuit530 monitors the voltage and checks the light emission (FIG. 53G). Then,the output cycles of the ON/OFF signals of the ST1 and ST2 outputterminals are gradually changed in accordance with the voltage of thebattery 311 (FIGS. 53B and 53C).

[0414] The strobe light emitting circuit is controlled in this way sothat AF auxiliary light for distance measurement and/or red-eye reducinglight can be used before shooting. When the light emission by the Xetube 312A is started and when a light emission stopping signal is sentfrom a control device, not shown, to the control circuit 530, both ofthe ST1 and ST2 output terminals of the control circuit 530 are turnedoff (FIGS. 53B and 53C). Then, the light emission is terminated (FIG.53E).

[0415] According to the seventh embodiment, the auxiliary light for AFdistance measurement is emitted once. However, the number of times ofemission is not limited thereto. Like the sixth embodiment, the lightemission can be repeated any number of times until the AF distancemeasurement succeeds.

[0416] According to the seventh embodiment, the light emission form isflat light emission in which a small amount of light can be continuouslyemitted multiple number of times for a predetermined period of time insecond. Therefore, in the case of a camera using a focal plane shutter,the light emission can be used as strobe light in the strobe shootingmode at a shutter time period in second, which is faster than the flashsynchronization.

[0417] As described above, in a strobe apparatus for a camera accordingto the seventh embodiment of the invention, a capacitor is not used forthe light emission in a Xe tube. Therefore, the size of the cameraexternal cabinet can be reduced, and the costs can be also reduced.

[0418] Furthermore, a strobe apparatus can be provided which can emitlight directly from a battery without a main capacitor.

[0419] As described above, according to the sixth or seventh embodiment,a strobe apparatus for a camera can be provided. In the strobeapparatus, a light-emission source to be supplied to a discharge tube isselected such that the amount of light to be used in the actual lightemission for shooting is not reduced even after the emission ofauxiliary light for AF distance measurement and/or light for red-eyereduction. Furthermore, the time required for AF distance measurementcan be reduced.

[0420]FIG. 54 is an external perspective diagram of a camera having astrobe apparatus according to an eighth embodiment of the invention,which is diagonally viewed from the upper right. FIG. 55 is a sectiondiagram taken at the line IV-IV in FIG. 54. FIG. 56 is a show-throughperspective diagram schematically showing the internal construction ofthe camera in FIG. 54. According to the eighth embodiment, a strobeapparatus for a camera is provided which can emit strobe light inshooting only by using a battery installed in the camera without anycapacitor when the exposure time in second is shorter than the flashsynchronization time in second of a focal place shutter.

[0421] As shown in FIG. 54, a lens barrel 608 having a shooting opticalsystem for shooting an object is provided at the center of the front ofthe external cabinet 601 forming the camera body. A finder window 604 isprovided thereabove for optically observing an object. Furthermore, astrobe light emitting window 603 for irradiating strobe light to anobject is provided at the upper right of the lens barrel 608.

[0422] A release button 605 for starting shooting is provided on theleft side of the upper surface of the camera external cabinet 601.Furthermore, a zoom button 606 is provided on the left side of the backsurface of the camera external cabinet 601. The zoom button 606 is usedby a shooting person for driving the lens barrel 608 in shooting and forsetting an arbitrary shooting magnification for shooting an object.

[0423] According to the eight embodiment, the longitudinal length of thecamera exterior cabinet 601 is “1”.

[0424] As shown in FIG. 55, the lens barrel 608 is provided movably inan optical axis direction 0 at the center in the camera external cabinet601. A film cassette chamber 609 is provided on the left and a filmspool chamber 607 is provided on the right. Furthermore, a focal planeshutter 610 is provided on the back surface.

[0425] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 56, a finder optical system 604 aincluding a finder window 604 is provided above the lens barrel 608.Furthermore, a strobe light emitting portion 603 a including the strobelight emitting window 604 is provided on the right of the finder opticalsystem 604 a and at the upper right side of the front surface of thecamera exterior cabinet 601. Furthermore, a battery 611 for supplyingpower to the entire camera driving device is provided on the backsurface of the strobe light emitting portion 603 a.

[0426] As shown in FIG. 57, the strobe light emitting portion 603 aincludes a reflection umbrella 615, a light emitting discharge tube(called Xe tube hereinafter) 612, an electrode terminal 613 of the Xetube, and a trigger electrode on the exterior of the Xe tube 612. Thereflection umbrella 615 reflects light emitted from the Xe tube 612toward a predetermined irradiating range. The Xe tube 612 starts lightemission in response to a control signal from the control circuit 630(see FIG. 58), which will be described later.

[0427] In the eighth embodiment, the longitudinal length of the Xe tubeis “m”.

[0428]FIG. 58 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit of strobe apparatus for a camera according to the eighthembodiment of the invention. FIGS. 59A to 59G are time charts foroperations of components of the light emitting circuit shown in FIG. 58.

[0429] As shown in FIG. 58, the light emitting circuit includes a powersource battery 611, a control circuit 630, switching elements 640 and650, an oscillation transformer 660, and the Xe tube 612. The controlcircuit 630 has ST1 and ST2 output terminals for switching and a VBpower source voltage measuring terminal and functions as a lightemission control portion. The switching elements 640 and 650 includeFET. The oscillation transformer 660 includes a first primary winding661, a second primary winding 662, a first secondary winding 663, and asecond secondary winding 664. The first secondary winding has more windsthan those of the primary winding. The second secondary winding 664 hasmore winds than those of the primary windings 661 and 662 and the numberof winds of the first secondary winding 663. The second secondarywinding 664 functions as a trigger coil. A transparent electrode(trigger electrode) 671 is coated on the surface of the Xe tube 612.

[0430] A serial connecting circuit of the first primary winding 661 andthe switching element 640 and a serial connecting circuit of the secondprimary winding 662 and the switching element 650 are connected to thepower source battery 611 in parallel.

[0431] The Xe tube 612 containing Xe gas is connected to both ends ofthe first secondary winding 663 in parallel. The output end of thesecond secondary winding 664 is connected to the trigger electrode 671on the exterior of the Xe tube 612.

[0432] Furthermore, the ST1 output terminal of the control circuit 630is connected to the gate terminal of the switching element 640. The ST2output terminal is connected to the gate terminal of the switchingelement 650.

[0433] Next, a flash light emitting operation by the strobe lightemitting circuit having the above-described construction will bedescribed with reference to time charts in FIGS. 59A to 59G.

[0434] First of all, when a release signal is input to a CPU, not shown,in response to a manipulation for pressing the release button 5 in FIG.54, the camera enters into the shooting mode (FIG. 59A). Then, an ONsignal “H” (HIGH) is output from the ST1 output terminal of the controlcircuit 630 shown in FIG. 58 (FIG. 59B), the switching element 640 isbrought into conduction. Then, current from the power source battery 611is fed to the switching element 640 through the first primary winding661.

[0435] When current is fed to the primary winding of the transformer660, electric energy occurs in the primary winding. Then, the electricenergy is transmitted to the secondary winding 663 because of anelectromagnetic induction effect.

[0436] The magnetic energy having been transmitted to the secondarywinding 663 is converted to electric energy, and current is fed from thesecondary winding 663 to the second secondary winding 664. Here, thevoltage of the lower end 663 a of the first secondary winding 663 is thelowest while the upper end 664 b of the second secondary winding 664 isthe highest (FIG. 58). Under this condition, current is not fed to theXe tube 612. Thus, the resistance value becomes infinite, and the outputside of the secondary winding 663 has a high impedance.

[0437] Furthermore, under this condition, electric energy occurs in thesecondary winding side in the opposite direction of the current havingbeen fed to the primary winding 661. Then, the electric energy isconverted to voltage. Therefore, high voltage occurs in the upper end663 b of the first secondary winding. Furthermore, higher voltage thanthe voltage occurring in the upper end 663 b of the first secondarywinding occurs in the upper end 664 b of the second secondary winding(FIG. 58). Therefore, high voltage is applied to the trigger electrode671 on the exterior of the Xe tube 612, and the Xe tube 612 is excited(FIG. 59D).

[0438] Here, since Xe tube 612 is not excited only through the switchingelement 640, an OFF signal “L” (LOW) is output (FIG. 59B) from the ST1output terminal. At the same time an ON signal “H” is output to the ST2output terminal (FIG. 59C). Then, the current flowing through theswitching element 640 and first primary winding 661 is turned off. Then,the switching element 650 is brought into conduction. Therefore, currentfrom the battery 611 is fed to the switching element 650 through thesecond primary winding 662.

[0439] When current is fed to the primary winding 662, electric energyoccurs in the primary winding. The electric energy is transmitted to thesecondary winding 664 because of an electromagnetic induction effect.

[0440] The magnetic energy having been transmitted to the secondarywinding 664 is converted to electric energy, and current is fed from thesecondary winding 664 to the second secondary winding 663. Here, thecurrent flows through the second primary winding 662 in the directionopposite to the direction of current being fed to the first primarywinding 661. Therefore, the energy occurs in the secondary windings 663and 664 in the direction opposite to the one caused when the ON signalis output from the ST1 output terminal. Then, high voltage having thesign opposite to the one caused when the ON signal is output from theST1 output terminal is applied to the trigger electrode 671 on theexterior of the Xe tube 612 (FIG. 59D).

[0441] In this way, by outputting an ON signal “H” alternately from theST1 and ST2 output terminals of the control circuit 630 an arbitrarynumber of times (FIGS. 59B and 59C), Xe gas in the Xe tube 612 isexcited. Then, the resistance value decreases. When the resistance valuedecreases, the resistance values of both ends of the first secondarywinding 663 decrease. Thus, current I-xe (FIG. 59E) is attempted to feedto the Xe tube 612. In this way, since the ST1 and ST2 output terminalsof the control circuit 630 repeatedly and alternately output ON and OFFsignals, the direction of the current I-xe flowing through the Xe tube612 is inverted every output of the ON/OFF signal from the outputterminals (FIG. 59E).

[0442] As the resistance value of the Xe tube 612 decreases, the currentI-xe is fed from both ends of the first secondary winding 663, and theXe tube 612 emits light. When the Xe tube 612 emits light, the impedancein the secondary winding side of the transformer 660 decreases.Therefore, a rapidly increased amount of current is fed to the primarywinding side of the transformer 660. Therefore, when current in theprimary winding increases, the voltage of the power source battery 611changes. The VB measuring terminal of the control circuit 630 monitorsthe voltage and checks the light emission (FIG. 59G). Then, the outputcycles of the ON/OFF signals of the ST1 and ST2 output terminals aregradually changed in accordance with the voltage of the battery 611(FIGS. 59B and 59C).

[0443] The strobe light emitting circuit is controlled in this way sothat a certain amount of light can be emitted from the Xe tube 612multiple times from immediately before the front curtain of the focalplane shutter is opened to immediately after the rear curtain is shut(FIGS. 59E and 59F). When the light emission by the Xe tube 612 isstarted and when a light emission stopping signal is sent from a controldevice, not shown, to the control circuit 630, both of the ST1 and ST2output terminals of the control circuit 630 are turned off (FIGS. 59Band 59C). Then, the light emission is terminated (FIG. 59E).

[0444] As described above, in a strobe apparatus for a camera accordingto the eighth embodiment of the invention, a capacitor is not used forthe light emission in an Xe tube. Therefore, the size of the cameraexternal cabinet can be reduced, and the costs can be also reduced.

[0445] Furthermore, when the exposure time in second for shooting isshorter than the flash synchronization time in second of the focal planeshutter, the Xe tube emits light from a battery through an oscillationtransformer. Therefore, flat light can be emitted to an objectuniformly.

[0446]FIG. 60 is an external perspective diagram of a camera having astrobe apparatus according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, whichis diagonally viewed from the upper right. FIG. 61 is a section diagramtaken at the line V-V in FIG. 60. FIG. 62 is a show-through perspectivediagram schematically showing an internal construction of the camera inFIG. 60.

[0447] According to the ninth embodiment, a strobe apparatus for acamera is provided which allows the selection of a light-emission sourceto be supplied to a discharge tube in accordance with the shutter speedof a focal plane shutter.

[0448] In the strobe apparatus according to the ninth embodiment, thecamera external cabinet and the internal construction of the camera areschematically and substantially the same as those of the cameraaccording to the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 54 or 55. The ninthembodiment is different from the eight embodiment in that a strobecircuit is provided, which has a main capacitor for strobe inside of thecamera exterior cabinet and which allows the selection of a unit fordirectly supplying light emission energy to be supplied to an Xe tubefrom a power source battery and a unit for storing charges in a maincapacitor and for supplying light emission energy to the Xe tube.Therefore, only the differences will be described. The same referencenumerals are given to the same components as those of the eighthembodiment, and the description will be omitted.

[0449] As shown in FIGS. 61 and 62, a strobe main capacitor 617 isprovided on the left of the cassette chamber 609 within the cameraexternal cabinet 601A. Therefore, when the main capacitor 617 isprovided within the camera external cabinet 601A in this way, thelongitudinal length “1′” of the camera exterior cabinet 601A is longerthan the longitudinal length “1” of the camera exterior cabinet 601Aaccording to the eighth embodiment.

[0450]FIG. 63 is a section diagram showing a construction of the strobelight emitting portion 603 a in FIG. 62. When the strobe main capacitor617 is provided, a large amount of light can be irradiated. Therefore,the longitudinal length “m′” of the Xe tube 612A is longer than thelongitudinal length “m” of the Xe tube 612 shown in FIG. 56. Thus, thelongitudinal length of the strobe light emitting portion 603 aincreases.

[0451]FIG. 64 is an electric circuit diagram showing a light emittingcircuit of the strobe apparatus for a camera according to the ninthembodiment of the invention. FIGS. 65A to 65E are time charts describingoperations for charging to the main capacitor in the light emittingcircuit shown in FIG. 64. FIGS. 66A to 66H are time charts describing aflat light emitting operation by the light emitting circuit shown inFIG. 64. FIGS. 67A to 67G are time charts describing a light emittingoperation by the main capacitor of the light emitting circuit shown inFIG. 64.

[0452] The strobe light emitting circuit according to the ninthembodiment has a first light emitting portion and a second lightemitting portion. The first light emitting portion causes the Xe tube612A to emit light by using charges (energy) stored in the maincapacitor 617, which will be described later. The second light emittingportion causes the Xe tube 612A to emit light by supplying power of thepower source battery 611 directly to the Xe tube 612A from anoscillation transformer 747, which will be described later. As shown inFIG. 64, the strobe light emitting circuit includes a power sourcebattery 611, a control circuit 730, switching elements 700 and 745 forcharging, the oscillation transformer 747, a bridge diode 744, a relayswitch 760 for light emission switching, a resistance 710, a switchingelement 720 for light emission, a trigger capacitor 790, a triggercapacitor 790, a trigger coil 780, the strobe main capacitor 617 and theXe tube 612A. The control circuit 730 has output terminals 740, 750, 760and 770 and functions as a light emission control portion. Theoscillation transformer 747 includes a first primary winding 741, asecond primary winding 742 and a secondary winding 743. The trigger coil780 includes a primary winding 781 and a secondary winding 782. Atransparent electrode (trigger electrode) 701 is coated on the surfaceof the Xe tube 612A for easy light emission.

[0453] A serial connecting circuit of the first primary winding 741 ofthe oscillation transformer 747 and the switching element 700 forcharging and a serial connecting circuit of the second primary winding742 of the oscillation transformer 747 and the switching element 745 forcharging are connected to the power source battery 611 in parallel.

[0454] The gate terminal of the switching element 700 for charging isconnected to the output terminal 750 of the control circuit 730. Thegate terminal of the switching element 745 is connected to the outputterminal 740 of the control circuit 730. Both ends of the secondarywinding 743 of the oscillation transformer 747 are connected to theinput end of the bridge diode 744.

[0455] A serial connecting circuit of the relay switch 746 forlight-emission switching and the strobe main capacitor 617, a serialconnecting circuit of the Xe tube 612A and the switching element 720 forlight emission and a serial circuit of the resistance 710, the triggercapacitor 790 and the primary winding 781 of the trigger coil 780 areconnected to the output terminal of the bridge diode 744 in parallel.

[0456] The control terminal of the relay switch 746 for light-emissionswitching is connected to the output terminal 760 of the control circuit730. The gate terminal of the switching element 720 for light emissionis connected to the output terminal 770 of the control circuit 730.Furthermore, the connecting point of the resistance 710 and the triggercapacitor 790 is connected to the connecting point of the Xe tube 612Aand the switching element 720 for light emission.

[0457] Next, an operation for charging to the main capacitor of thestrobe light emitting circuit having the above-described constructionwill be described with reference to time charts in FIGS. 64 and 65A to65E.

[0458] When an ON signal, “H” is output from the output terminal 760 ofthe control circuit 730 in an initial state (FIG. 65B), the relay switch746 for light-emission switching is closed. Thus, the charging to themain capacitor 617 can be performed.

[0459] Next, when an ON signal, “H” is output from the output terminal750 of the control circuit 730 (FIG. 65C), current is fed from the powersource battery 611 to the first primary winding 741 of the oscillationtransformer 747 and the switching element 700 for charging.

[0460] When current flows through the first primary winding 741,electric energy occurs in the primary winding. The electric energy istransmitted to the secondary winding 743 of the oscillation transformer747 because of an electromagnetic induction effect. The magnetic energyis converted to electric energy in the secondary winding 743, andcurrent is fed to the secondary winding 743. The current is converted todirect current by the bridge diode 744 and is stored in the maincapacitor 617 and the trigger capacitor 790 as charges.

[0461] When the discharging of the energy generated by the first primarywinding 741 ends, the ON signal from the output terminal 750 of thecontrol circuit 730 is turned off (see FIG. 65C), and, at the same time,an ON signal is output from the output terminal 740 of the controlcircuit 730 (65D).

[0462] When an ON signal “H” is output from the output terminal 740,current is fed from the battery 611 to the second primary winding 742 ofthe oscillation transformer 747 and the switching element 745 forcharging.

[0463] When current flows through the second primary winding 742,electric energy occurs in the primary winding. The electric energy istransmitted to the secondary winding 743 of the oscillation transformer747 because of an electromagnetic induction effect. The magnetic energyis converted to electric energy in the secondary winding 743, andcurrent is fed to the secondary winding 743. The current is stored inthe main capacitor 617 and the trigger capacitor 790 as charges by thebridge diode 744.

[0464] As described above, by alternately turning on and off the outputterminals 750 and 740 of the control circuit 730 (FIGS. 65C and 65D),the switching elements 700 and 745 for charging are alternately turnedon and off, and charges are stored in and are charged to the maincapacitor 617 and the trigger capacitor 790. Then, when the chargingvoltage (V) of the main capacitor 617 reaches a predetermined voltage(Va) (see FIG. 65(e)), the output from the control circuit 730 isterminated. After that, an OFF signal “L” is output from the outputterminal 760 of the control circuit 730 (FIG. 65B), and the relay switch746 for light-emission switching is opened. Then, the charging operationends. The output terminal 770 of the control circuit 730 here is offduring the charging period (FIG. 65A).

[0465] Next, a flat light emitting operation (light emitting operationwhen a small amount of light is required) in the strobe circuitaccording to the ninth embodiment of the invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 64 and the time chart in FIG. 66.

[0466] After the completion of the charging as described with referenceto FIGS. 65A to 65E, a release signal is input to a CPU, not shown,(FIG. 66A) through a manipulation for pressing the release button 605 inFIG. 60. Then, an ON signal is output from the output terminal 770 bykeeping the output terminal 760 of the control circuit 730 off (FIG.66B). The switching element 720 for light emission is turned on inresponse to the ON signal. Then, charges stored in the trigger capacitor790 are fed to the switching element 720 for light emission and theprimary winding 781 of the trigger coil 780.

[0467] When current is fed to the primary winding 781 of the triggercoil 780, electric energy occurs in the primary winding 781. The energyis transmitted to the secondary winding 782 of the trigger coil 780because of an electromagnetic induction effect and is converted tovoltage. Then, the secondary winding 782 is connected to the triggerelectrode 701 on the exterior of the Xe tube 612A, and the Xe tube 612Ahas a very high resistance value. Therefore, the electric energy havingbeen transmitted to the secondary winding 782 of the trigger coil 780 isconverted to voltage. As a result, high voltage is applied to thetrigger electrode 701 on the exterior of the Xe tube 612A.

[0468] When high voltage is applied to the trigger electrode 701 on theexterior of the Xe tube 612A, xenon gas within the Xe tube is excited,and the insulating resistance is reduced. Then, current can be fedthereto. When an ON signal is output (FIG. 66C) from the output terminal750 of the control circuit 730, energy occurs in the first primarywinding 741 of the oscillation transformer 747 as described above. Theenergy is transmitted to the secondary winding 743, and current I-xe isfed to the Xe tube 612A through the bridge diode 744 (FIG. 66F). Whencurrent is fed to the Xe tube 612A, the Xe tube 612A emits light.

[0469] Since a small amount of energy occurs in the first primarywinding 741 of the oscillation transformer 747, the Xe tube 612A emitslight in a short period of time (FIGS. 66C and 66F).

[0470] Then, when the output terminal 750 of the control circuit 730 isturned off, an ON signal is output from the output terminal 740 (FIGS.66C and 66D). Thus, energy is generated in the second primary winding742 of the oscillation transformer 747 this time, and the energy istransmitted to the secondary winding 743.

[0471] In this way, by alternately turning on and off the outputterminals 750 and 740 of the control circuit 730, the first primarywinding 741 and second primary winding 742 of the oscillationtransformer 747 alternately and repeatedly generate energy (FIGS. 66Cand 66D). Thus, current I-xe is fed to the Xe tube 612A (FIG. 66F), anda constant amount of flat light emission can be performed from the Xetube 612A multiple times from the opening of the front curtain of thefocal plane shutter to the shutting of the rear curtain (FIGS. 66G and66H).

[0472] The flat light emission does not use charges stored in the maincapacitor 617. Therefore, a small amount “1” of light is emitted here.

[0473] The flat light emission is performed for a predetermined periodof time, both of the output terminals 750 and 740 of the control circuitare turned off. Then, the light emission is terminated (FIGS. 66C, 66Dand 66F). The output terminal 760 is kept off during the flat lightemission (FIG. 66B).

[0474] Next, an operation for emitting a large amount of light in thestrobe light emitting circuit according to the ninth embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 64 and the time charts in FIGS. 67A to67G.

[0475] After the completion of the charging as described with referenceto FIG. 65, a release signal is input to a CPU, not shown, (FIG. 67A)through a manipulation for pressing the release button 5 in FIG. 60.Then, an ON signal is output from the output terminal 760 of the controlcircuit 730 (FIG. 67B), and the relay switch 746 for switching lightemission is turned on. Thus, the main capacitor 617 and the Xe tube 612Acan be conducted.

[0476] When an ON signal is output from the output terminal 770 underthis condition (FIG. 67E), the switching element 720 for light emissionis turned on in response to the ON signal. Then, charges stored in thetrigger capacitor 790 are fed to the switching element 720 for lightemission and the primary winding 781 of the trigger coil 780.

[0477] When current is fed to the primary winding 781 of the triggercoil 780, electric energy of the primary winding 781 is transmitted tothe secondary winding 782 of the trigger coil 780. Then, the secondarywinding 782 is connected to the trigger electrode 701 on the exterior ofthe Xe tube 612A, and the Xe tube 612A has a very high resistance value.Therefore, the electric energy having been transmitted to the secondarywinding 782 of the trigger coil 780 is converted to voltage. As aresult, high voltage is applied to the trigger electrode 701 on theexterior of the Xe tube 612A.

[0478] When high voltage is applied to the trigger electrode 701 on theexterior of the Xe tube 612A, xenon gas within the Xe tube is excited,and the insulating resistance is reduced. Then, charges stored in themain capacitor 617 are fed to the Xe tube 612A through the switchingelement 720 for light emission as current I-xe (FIG. 67F). When currentis fed to the Xe tube 612A, the Xe tube 612A emits light.

[0479] In this way, a large amount of light can be emitted from the Xetube 612A from the time when the focal plane shutter is opened until thefocal plane shutter is shut-off (FIG. 67G).

[0480] Since the emission of a large amount of light is performed byusing charges stored in the main capacitor 617, the amount η′ of emittedlight is larger than the amount η (66F) of emitted light in the flatemission, and the amount of emitted light increases.

[0481] When a large amount of light is emitted for a predetermined time,the output terminal 770 of the control circuit 730 is turned off. Then,the light emission is terminated (FIGS. 67E and 67F). The outputterminals 750 and 740 of the control circuit 730 are kept off during thelight emission (FIGS. 67C and 67D).

[0482] In this way, in the strobe apparatus according to the ninthembodiment of the invention, by switching on/off the relay switch 746for light emission switching, when the exposure time in second forshooting is shorter than the flash synchronization time in second of thefocal plane shutter, flat light emission is performed. When the exposuretime in second for shooting is equal to the flash synchronization timein second of the focal plane shutter or is longer than the flashsynchronization time in second without the main capacitor 617, theactual light emission can be performed by selecting the use of the maincapacitor 617. Even after the flat light emission is performed beforethe actual light emission, the amount of the charges in the maincapacitor does not decrease. Therefore, a large amount of light can beemitted.

[0483] The flash synchronization time in second refers to an exposuretime in second obtained in accordance with the installed focal planeshutter through an operation for starting the movement of the rearcurtain in a shut-off direction when the front curtain reaches an openposition.

[0484] According to the ninth embodiment of the invention, when theexposure time in second for shooting is shorter than the flashsynchronization time in second of the focal plane shutter, flash lightemission is performed without a main capacitor. However, when theexposure time in second for shooting is equal to the flashsynchronization time in second or is longer than the flashsynchronization time in second, the flat light emission can beapparently performed by using a main capacitor. Thus, a strobe apparatusfor a camera can be provided which allows, in accordance with theshutter speed of the focal plane shutter, the selection of a lightemission source to be supplied to a discharge tube.

[0485] When the shutter exposure time in second is longer than the flashsynchronization time in second as described above, the charging time isnot necessary when flash light emission is performed.

[0486] As described above, according to the eighth and ninthembodiments, a strobe apparatus can be provided which can perform flatlight emission only by using a power source battery and without a maincapacitor requiring a charging time when the exposure time in second isshorter than the flash synchronization time in second of the focal planeshutter. Therefore, the possibility for missing shutter chances can bereduced.

[0487] The present invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiments, and various changes are possible without practicallydeparting from the principle. Furthermore, the above-describedembodiments include various aspects of the inventions. Various aspectsof the invention can be extracted in proper combinations under thedisclosed multiple construction requirements.

[0488] For example, even when several construction requirements areremoved from the entire construction requirement disclosed in theembodiments, problems described in the section, Problems to be Solved bythe Invention, can be solved. When the advantages described in thesection, Advantages of the Invention, can be obtained, the constructionwithout the construction requirement or requirements can be extracted asthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A strobe apparatus, comprising: a strobe lightemitting discharge tube having a discharge light emitting portion and aterminal portion; and a reflection umbrella for reflecting light emittedfrom the strobe light emitting discharge tube into a predetermineddirection, wherein the strobe light emitting discharge tube includes atransparent electrode from the discharge light emitting portion to theterminal portion, and trigger voltage is applied to the strobe lightemitting discharge tube through the transparent electrode.
 2. A strobeapparatus, comprising: a strobe light emitting discharge tube having adischarge light emitting portion, an anode terminal on one side of thedischarge emitting portion, a cathode terminal portion on the otherside, which is larger than the anode terminal portion in form, and atransparent electrode on the surface of the strobe light emittingdischarge tube from the discharge light emitting portion to one of theterminals; and a reflection umbrella having a holding portion, which ispress-connected to the end of the part having the transparent electrodeof the strobe light emitting discharge tube, for holding the strobelight emitting discharge tube, and a conductor for reflecting lightemitted from the strobe light emitting discharge tube into apredetermined direction, wherein trigger voltage having been applied tothe reflection umbrella is applied to the strobe light emittingdischarge tube through the holding portion and the transparentelectrode.
 3. A strobe apparatus according to claim 2, wherein theholding portion press-connects the end of the part having the cathodeterminal.
 4. A strobe apparatus, comprising: a strobe light emittingdischarge tube having a discharge light emitting portion, an anodeterminal on one side of the discharge emitting portion, a cathodeterminal portion on the other side, which is larger than the anodeterminal portion in form, and a transparent electrode on the surface ofthe strobe light emitting discharge tube from the discharge lightemitting portion to one of the terminals; a reflection umbrella having athrough-hole in which one of the ends is provided, for reflecting lightemitted from the strobe light emitting discharge tube into apredetermined direction; and an elastic supporting member forelastically supporting the end of the strobe light emitting dischargetube provided in the through-hole and for having a conducting portionfor electrically connecting the reflection umbrella containing aconductor and the transparent electrode.
 5. A strobe apparatus accordingto claim 4, wherein the elastic supporting member has an insulatingportion for insulating a terminal extending from the strobe lightemitting discharge tube and the reflection umbrella.
 6. A camera,comprising: a vibration detecting portion for detecting a vibrationstate of the camera; a first operating member for setting a camera modeto a vibration detecting mode for operating the vibration detectingportion; a second operating member for setting a strobe light emittingmode of the camera; and a control portion for controlling theimplementation and termination of the operation of the vibrationdetecting portion in accordance with the type of the strobe lightemitting mode set by the second operating member when the vibrationdetecting mode is set.
 7. A camera according to claim 6, wherein thecontrol portion terminates the operation of the vibration detectingportion when the vibration detecting mode is set and when the strobelight emitting mode is set to a night-view mode.
 8. A camera accordingto claim 6, wherein the control portion operates the vibration detectingportion again without any operation of the first operation member whenthe camera mode is set to the vibration detecting mode and when thestrobe light emitting mode is switched from the mode in which theoperation of the vibration detecting portion is terminated to the modein which the operation of the vibration detecting portion isimplemented.
 9. A camera according to claim 6, further comprising awarning portion for warning user when a predetermined amount ofvibration or more is detected by the vibration detecting portion.
 10. Astrobe apparatus, comprising: a single discharge tube; a first lightemitting portion for causing the discharge tube to emit light; a secondlight emitting portion for causing the discharge tube to emit light; anda control portion for controlling the first light emitting portion tocause light emission in shooting where an amount of light required forexposure exceeds a predetermined value and for controlling the secondlight emitting portion to cause light emission in shooting where anamount of light required for exposure is equal to or below thepredetermined value.
 11. A strobe apparatus according to claim 10,wherein the first light emitting portion causes the discharge tube toemit light by supplying energy stored in a capacitor while the secondlight emitting portion causes the discharge tube to emit light onlythrough the oscillation of an oscillation transformer.
 12. A dischargelight emitting apparatus, comprising: a power source; a transformerhaving an iron core, a primary winding wound about the iron core andconnected to the power source, a first secondary winding wound about theiron core, and a second secondary winding wound about the iron core andis connected to the first secondary winding in series; a light emittingdischarge tube having a discharging electrode and a trigger electrode,both ends of the first secondary winding connected to the dischargingelectrode and one end of the second secondary winding connected to thetrigger electrode; a switching element provided between the power sourceand the primary winding; and a control portion for turning on/off theswitching element.
 13. A discharge light emitting apparatus according toclaim 12, wherein the primary winding has two winding portions inseries, and the switching element is provided in each of the two windingportions.
 14. A discharge light emitting apparatus, comprising: a powersource; a transformer having a primary winding to which power issupplied from the power source and first and second secondary windingswound in series; a light emitting discharge tube having a dischargingelectrode and a trigger electrode, both ends of the first secondarywinding connected to the discharging electrode, one end of the secondsecondary winding connected to the trigger electrode; a switchingelement provided between the power source and the primary winding; and acontrol portion for turning on/off the switching element.
 15. Adischarge light emitting apparatus, comprising: an oscillationtransformer having two primary windings and two secondary windings; afirst switching element connected to one of the two primary windings; asecond switching element connected to the other of the two primarywinding; and a discharge light emitting tube for emitting light inresponse to the voltage application, wherein one of the two secondarywindings is connected to the electrode of the discharge light emittingtube and the other of the two secondary winding is connected to theexterior of the discharge light emitting tube so as to apply highvoltage.
 16. A discharge light emitting apparatus according to claim 15,further comprising a control portion for alternately turning on/off thefirst switching element and second switching element.
 17. A strobeapparatus, comprising: a discharge tube for emitting strobe light forilluminating an object; a first light emitting portion for causing thedischarge tube to emit light by using energy stored in a main capacitor;a second light emitting portion for causing the discharge tube to emitlight by using a battery without the main capacitor; and a controlportion for causing the discharge tube to emit light through the firstlight emitting portion in shooting and for causing the discharge tube toemit light through the second light emitting portion before shooting.18. A strobe apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the controlportion causes the discharge tube to emit light through the second lightemitting portion for reducing a red-eye phenomenon.
 19. A strobeapparatus according to claim 17, wherein the control portion causes thedischarge tube to emit light through the second light emitting portionfor auxiliary light for auto-focus.
 20. A camera having an auto-focusportion, comprising: a discharge tube for emitting strobe light forilluminating an object; a first light emitting portion for causing thedischarge tube to emit light; a second light emitting portion forcausing the discharge tube to emit light; and a control portion forcausing the discharge tube to emit light through the first lightemitting portion during exposure and for causing the discharge tube toemit light through the second light emitting portion before exposurewhen an object has a low intensity.
 21. A camera according to claim 20,wherein the first light emitting portion causes light emission bysupplying energy stored in a capacitor while the second light emittingportion causes light emission in connection with the cycle of anoscillation transformer.
 22. A camera according to claim 20, wherein,when the auto-focus portion fails in distance measurement byilluminating the object, the control portion increases a light emittingtime by the second light emitting portion in the next distancemeasurement.
 23. A strobe apparatus for a camera, comprising: adischarge tube for emitting strobe light for illuminating an object; afirst light emitting portion for causing the discharge tube to emitlight; a second light emitting portion for causing the discharge tube toemit light; and a control portion for causing the discharge tube to emitlight through the first light emitting portion during exposure and forcausing the discharge tube to emit light through the second lightemitting portion in order to emit a predetermined amount of light beforeexposure.
 24. A strobe apparatus according to claim 23, wherein thefirst light emitting portion causes a discharge tube to emit light bysupplying energy stored in the light-emission main capacitor to thedischarge tube while the second light emitting portion causes thedischarge tube to emit light by directly supplying current from anoscillation transformer to the discharge tube.
 25. A strobe apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein the control portion causes the dischargetube to emit light in advance before exposure through the second lightemitting portion for reducing a red-eye phenomenon.
 26. A camera havinga red-eye phenomenon reducing portion, comprising: a discharge tube foremitting strobe light for illuminating an object; a first light emittingportion for causing the discharge tube to emit light; a second lightemitting portion for causing the discharge tube to emit light; and acontrol portion for causing the discharge tube to emit light through thefirst light emitting portion during exposure and for causing thedischarge tube to emit light through the second light emitting portionbefore exposure when a red-eye phenomenon reducing mode is selected. 27.A camera, comprising: a focal plane shutter; a discharge tube foremitting strobe light for illuminating an object; a first light emittingportion for causing the discharge tube to emit light by using energystored in a main capacitor; a second light emitting portion for causingthe discharge tube to emit light by using a battery without the maincapacitor; and a control portion for causing the discharge tube to emitlight through the first light emitting portion when the exposure time insecond for shooting is longer than the flash synchronization time insecond of the focal plane shutter and for causing the discharge tube toemit light through the second light emitting portion when the exposuretime in second for shooting is shorter than the flash synchronizationtime in second of the focal plane shutter.
 28. A strobe apparatus for acamera having a focal plane shutter, the strobe apparatus comprising: anoscillation transformer; a discharge tube for emitting light inconnection with the cycle of the oscillation transformer; and a controlportion for maintaining light emission by the oscillation transformerduring exposure when the exposure time in second for shooting is shorterthan the flash synchronization time in second of the focal planeshutter.
 29. A strobe apparatus for a camera having a focal planeshutter, the strobe apparatus comprising: a discharge tube for emittingstrobe light for illuminating an object; a first light emitting portionfor causing the discharge tube to emit light; a second light emittingportion for causing the discharge tube to emit light; and a controlportion for causing light emission through the first light emittingportion when the exposure time in second for shooting is longer than theflash synchronization time in second of the focal plane shutter and forcausing light emission through the second light emitting portion whenthe exposure time in second for shooting is shorter than the flashsynchronization time in second of the focal plane shutter.
 30. A strobeapparatus according to claim 29, wherein the first light emittingportion causes light emission by supplying energy stored in capacitorwhile the second light emitting portion causes light emission inconnection with the cycle of an oscillation transformer.